Thierry Abdon Avi – THE SUNDAY GUEST of December 3, 2023
Thierry Abdon Avi, a citizen of Ivorian origin, has made his home in Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy, since 1991. A passionate entrepreneur, he has owned Policopia, a company specializing in printing, layout and document scanning, since 1999.
In recognition of his positive integration into the working world and into the city of Florence, Thierry Abdon Avi was honored with the “Premio Impresa Solidale – Solidarity Business Award” at the Crafts Exhibition in April 2006. This recognition, awarded by the Labor Policy Department of the City of Florence, reflects his commitment and his impact on the community.
His political journey has also left its mark. In 2009, he ran as a Five Star Movement candidate in the municipal elections in Florence. Although he was not elected as a Neighborhood Councillor, he was the most-voted candidate of his then-nascent party, underscoring his influence and support within the community.
Thierry Abdon Avi is not only an entrepreneur and a politician but also a passionate defender of human rights. He has taken part in several conferences and television debates on forgotten wars, shedding light on tragedies often overlooked by public opinion.
In 2012, he published a powerful book titled “La Francia in Costa d’Avorio: guerra e neocolonialismo dal 19 settembre 2002 – France in Côte d’Ivoire: war and neocolonialism since September 19, 2002”. Written in Italian, this essay offers an in-depth reflection on the recent tragic events in Côte d’Ivoire and their historical causes, marking his intellectual contribution to understanding the conflict.
His political involvement continued in 2015 as a Five Star Movement candidate for regional councillor of Tuscany. In 2018, he was invited as a speaker by the Bar Association of Florence and Tuscany at a symposium on immigration, sharing his ideas and expertise for 23 minutes in the Salone dei Cinquecento at the Palazzo Vecchio.
Thierry Abdon Avi, together with his son Josef, also left his linguistic mark by creating the neologism “Benzineria: Essencerie”, a term that the Accademia della Crusca in Florence judged “possible” in the Italian language.
In November 2022, Thierry Abdon Avi added a new chapter to his commitment with the release of his second book, “L’ACQUITTEMENT DE LAURENT GBAGBO et CHARLES BLÉ GOUDÉ: MES ÉCHANGES AVEC LE JUGE CUNO TARFUSSER” (The Acquittal of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé: My Exchanges with Judge Cuno Tarfusser), available on Amazon. This book reflects his continued involvement in questions of justice and his desire to share his experiences and exchanges with the world.
Thierry Abdon Avi thus embodies the versatility of a committed individual, combining entrepreneurship, political engagement and advocacy for justice in a remarkable journey that continues to inspire.
