The town of Acquappesa (in the province of Cosenza), approving the proposal of a fellow-citizen: Michele Borrelli, professor of General Pedagogy at Calabria University of Studies, awarded honorary citizenship to Karl-Otto Apel with a solemn ceremony on 7^th July 2005.
Apel came to Calabria at the invitation of his friend Michele Borrelli, bound to the German philosopher by friendship and scientific collaboration. This dual-nature relationship is sustained, firstly, by school bonds determined by the close continuity with the German philosopher for research regarding the theoretical foundation; not less important the aspect in common with regard to philosophical reference points. Moreover, they are bound by their philosophical formation, their teaching activity and their theoretical-scientific research in academic environments and cultural climates very similar to each other. A further reason for their closeness is given by the fact that Borrelli is the Italian translator of the German philosopher’s most recent essays, chosen in concordance with the philosopher and published in two volumes by Pellegrini publishing house: Lessons of Aachen and other writings (2004) and Change of Paradigm. The transcendental-hermeneutic reconstruction of modern philosophy (2005). Borrelli is currently preparing with Apel a third volume entitled: Transcendental Hermeneutics and philosophy in Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Gadamer and Apel.

During Apel’s stay in Acquappesa, Michele Borrelli discussed with the German philosopher various research projects and the idea of making an International Philosophy Centre dedicated to him. Apel accepted with great interest Borrelli's idea which is specified in the institution of «Karl-Otto Apel International Philosophy Centre».  Here is a moment of the ceremony.

Prof. Karl-Otto Apel and Prof. Michele Borrelli

Moments of the ceremony: http://www.tgspazio.it/DettaglioNotizie.asp?IdNotizia=696