In 1997 the word regarding the beaches of Marina and especially the Duna spreads, calling forth more and more people. Now youths from all over Italy crowd our beaches and, discovering that just a few kilometres away from Rimini’s cemented and standardized resorts exist natural oases and spontaneity, they immediately prefer the latter. This phenomenon increases the most during the year 1998 and starts to interest the press, including the big national newspapers. The newspaper “La Repubblica” dedicates a full page to Marina di Ravenna’s coast and the Duna on 8th August of that year, pointing out that this is the riviera’s new, genuine and trendy resort, fit for tourism aimed at young people. “Forget Rimini and Riccione”, says the press (as do thousands of kids); “here’s the party!”.

   Besides this, a little before this article is printed, in July 1998, the Duna degli Orsi finally obtains the “permission to dance” from the Committee of Surveillance for Public Recreation: after four years of disputes and battles a great victory is achieved.

   Other “growth problems” however are encountered: in August of the same year the bathing station managers themselves are forced to suspend the happy hours, in order to dampen the impetuosity of non-clients who create chaos and disturbance.

   This is a painful decision made with a great sense of responsibility but which, however, helps overcome the problem.
In the meantime, Duna’s clients are becoming more and more heterogeneous with regards to their place of origin: on our beach a great magnet pole has been created.

   However, the disputes and problems with the authorities do not stop. On 31st July 2000, the Duna and other bathing stations are subject to other sanctions and days of closure, still related to the problem of “spontaneous dancing” out of the spaces and times consented. For this reason the Mayor of Ravenna intervenes, even calling the attention of the Carabinieri (Italian military police) and the other forces and clarifying once and for all that there cannot be repression for a free and spontaneous phenomenon, for which managers of bathing stations are in no way responsible and which fundamentally does not damage anyone, on the contrary ……

   On that occasion, the Mayor declares to the press: “Lets remember that Marina is the only resort on the Romagnola Riviera in which the beach is open at night. Nevertheless, during the day, the bathing stations must naturally also organize sportive, cultural and literary moments, encounters with writers as well as a restaurant service”.

   The Duna has taken this literally, recognizing the good sense of his invitation, which, after all, follows a direction that all the managers have often sustained. Therefore, today, the password is: NOT ONLY HAPPY HOUR. Besides the now consolidated and very popular Saturday and Sunday afternoon appointments, there is a growing commitment for Wednesday night theme parties, a gymnastic and health programme on the beach is being set in motion, the choice of cuisine is being widened and with the help of well-known writers, a programme of encounters with prestigious authors and reading in the light of the moon and fire torches is being arranged. Who said that young people today only want beer? What they really want above all is to remain together, pleasantly and freely, in many different ways which do not necessarily exclude one another: and this is their and our great strength.

   The myth therefore continues, growing on itself, and who has made the Duna his or her life, you can be sure he or she will measure up to situation.