"SELINUNTE AFTER SELINUNTE"
Location: Triscina di Selinunte, Castelvetrano (TP)
On Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm, Dr. Caterina Greco, Director of the Archaeological Park of Selinunte and Caves of Cusa, together with archaeologist Dr. Ferdinando Lentini held a conference, in light of recent archaeological discoveries regarding early Christian presence in Selinunte. GUEST SPEAKERS at CAM CONFERENCE "SELINUS 2011" RESTORATION OF THE ANTIQUE
Location: Triscina di Selinunte, Castelvetrano (TP)
On Saturday, October 22nd, CAM hosted a buffet to guest speakers and participants of the Selinus 2011 conference, organized by the directorate of Selinunte Archaeological Park and Caves of Cusa, held from October 20 – 23, 2011. During these days the theme of discussion was the research and experiences pertaining to ancient restoration in the Mediterranean during the Greek epoch. CAM - summer 2011
Location: Triscina di Selinunte, Castelvetrano (TP) For a month and a half, beginning on July 19th, CAM – Campus Archaeological Museum, the Sicilian headquarters of the non-profit Kepha Foundation, hosted evening events such as the International Archaeological Film Festival of Selinunte, the projection of films and documentaries, modern and classical music concerts as well as other cultural events.
July 19, the opening evening of CAM - Summer 2011, with the presentation of wines from the agricultural firm PLANETA, the exhibition of antique bells from the Virgadamo di Burgio iron foundry and the personal paintings of Paolo Di Rosa - Nuovi Cromatismi
July 22, the presentation of "Efebocorto Film Festival for youth", an event aimed towards students, in its 6th edition, sponsored by the Cipolla High School of Castelvetrano, promoted by Professor Ensalba Messina - and which the Kepha Foundation supported for the second year in a row.
July 29, the opening of the series of documentaries, whose theme was the sea, overseen by Dottoressa Angela Accardi. The event was promoted in collaboration with the Superintendence of the Sea of Palermo, the Fondation du Festival Mondial de l'Image sous Marine e del Centre Culturel Français de Palerme e de Sicile
July 30 Towards Ithaca, lights, music, and songs composed by young artists Giuseppe Giacalone and Gaspare La Rocca and performed by a group of musicians and singers directed by the two songwriters.
August 4, in CAM’s courtyard, the International Archaeological Film Festival of Selinunte was inaugurated, “Premio Selinon”, an event sponsored by the Kepha Foundation with the patronage of the Regional Department of Sicilian Culture and Identity, the District Department of Sicilian Cultural Heritage and Identity, and thanks to the collaboration of Dr. Caterina Greco, Director of Services, Archaeological Park of Selinunte and the Cave of Cusa “Vincenzo Tusa".
August 4, in the afternoon an antique car rally was held with the participation of numerous epoch vehicles, some of which
August 6, this evening’s festival event took place within the Baglio Florio, in the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, an enchanting architectural context which contributed towards the creation of an pleasant evening
August 7, the closing evening of the Festival, during which the film AN ENIGMA OF ANCIENT ROME by Tricia Lawton was named winner and to which the vast audience present gave its vote as its preference over other films in competition. The Selinon 2011 prize was handed personally to the Director of the International Archaeological Film Festival of Rovereto, to be delivered to the winner. Also present at the event was Prof. Giovanna Errante Parrino, Deputy Mayor of the City of Castelvetrano - Selinunte
August 9, CAM was all about music and fun thanks to the group Ensemble Selinus, formed by several musicians and a singer who performed their originally composed pieces, music and songs from their dvds "La rotta dei Fenici" and "Veni cu mmia"
August 12, projection of films from Fondo della Fondation du Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous Marine di Antibes, and by documentary filmmaker Riccardo Cingillo
August 18, an initiative of the City of Castelvetrano – Selinunte, the conference “Fuochi di Gioia” , was held on the theme of the ancient art of pyrotechnics. At the conclusion of the presentation, the string quartet Kemonia held a classical music concert entitled “The Music of the Fuochi di Gioja”.
August 19, on this final evening of the month’s events dedicated to cinematography, the documentary film/interview on Selinunte, created by TRS journalist Michele Termine, was projected. The filming of the documentary took place in the archaeological park of Selinunte and the Caves of Cusa, displaying the area’s most famous monuments, illustrated and given a historical description by the director of the park Dr. Caterina Greco.
August 23, in the suggestive setting of CAM’s stadion, the second edition of the Agoni Selinunti competition was held with support from the Municipality of Castelvetrano. This year’s event, in addition to the dedication of Prof. Mariagrazia Filardo, enjoyed the collaboration of FIDAL of Trapani.
Stolen History, from Oblivion to Recovery 1861 – 2011
Location: Triscina di Selinunte, Castelvetrano (TP) On Sunday, May 8th at CAM – Campus Archaeological Museum, the Sicilian headquarters of the Kepha non-profit Foundation at Triscina- Selinunte, Castelvetrano (Trapani), the conference “STOLEN HISTORY, FROM OBLIVION TO RECOVERY 1861 - 2011" was held, with a great public turnout.
The conference opened with greetings from the President of the Kepha Foundation, Patrizio M. R. Benvenuti, to the authorities present, to the speakers and to the public, pointing out the reasons which motivated Kepha to organize this encounter dedicated to the theme of the recovery of stolen works of art, a conference whose participants included noteworthy persons committed to the difficult task of recovery of works of art which have “disappeared”, and which, thanks to the tireless efforts of the authorities in charge, are now being restituted to our country. Italian Ministry for Cultural Patrimony and Activities - Press Office Message of Under Secretary Francesco Maria Giro, on the occasion of the conference “Stolen History, from Oblivion to Recovery *1861 – 2011*” The commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Italian Unity is not only an occasion to rediscover the roots of our national identity but also an opportunity to reflect upon the immense historical, artistic, cultural, and landscape patrimony which constitutes the uniqueness and peculiarity of our nation in the world. A patrimony often compromised in the past by neglect and abandonment which have consequently caused degradation and impoverishment of that which could correctly be defined as our “petroleum”. Francesco Maria Giro Repaired Leonardesque wall in Piombino
Location: Piombino (Li)
Two years after the landslide which devastated a portion of the Leonardesque wall of the Vittoria Academy, the damage has been contained thanks to an intervention carried out by the Foundation. Summer at CAM: from Fiction to Documentaries and more.....
Location: Triscina, Selinunte In the splendid setting of CAM, in Triscina Selinunte, Castelvetrano, each Tuesday and Friday from July 20th to August 22nd will be a series of initiatives such as lectures on cultural themes, screening of historical films followed by cultural commentary, archaeological documentaries and other artistic events. Admission to the events is free of charge, and spectators will find a pleasurable and relaxing atmosphere, emmersed in the countryside at the confines of the road connecting Castelvetrano to Triscina. July 20 - From Sicily to Trentino, stories of "vines" and of wines – Inaugural evening
July 23 - Selinunte raccounts: Cartagine in flames
July 27 – Film projection: “Troy”
July 30 – Cialoma
August 3 – The author of the Odyssey
August 6 – How to be Sicilian?
August 8 - Fireworks – “Fires of Joy”
August 10 - The siege of Siracuse
August 13 – The sea of the Phoenicians
August 17 - Mothya
August 22 - Presentation of CAMCANTIERE 4 and of the project "Ancient Poggioreale, the Memory of the Stones".
Round-table - Selinunte recounts
Location: Triscina, Selinunte In collaboration with the University of Bologna, seat of Trapani, on May 5, 2010 on the grounds of CAM – Campus Archaeological Museum of Triscina, Selinunte, a round-table conference whose theme was Selinunte “Recounts” was held, involving participants offering a variety of perspectives.
This initiative follows those presented the year before to the public – Mediterranean - Memory of the Stones - Selinunte, possible visions, an exhibition created by architect Pier Paolo Raffa who recounts the city of Selinunte through antique images and photographs. Possible visions, images of what could be the antique prestige of this city, linked to the sea, daughter of the sea: the attempt to imagine a place and its community just prior to its decline. In this conference other stories unfolded in order that the city and its history become more renowned and that even its recent past not be forgotten, an example of this being the photo chosen for the event’s poster which shows the paved road leading from Castelvetrano to Marinella. “ The rediscovery of ancient ports. The results of recent archaeological research ”
Location: Triscina, Selinunte The School/Superintendence of the Sea Project in which the Kepha Foundation collaborated, offering its headquarters on the grounds of CAM - Campus Archeological Museum of Triscina, Selinunte, a proposal for scholastic education on problems regarding the historical-archeological patrimony lying or recovered offshore and which offer testimony to the ancient peoples driven, by various forces, to migrate from one bank of the Mediterranean to another. The project provided for a series of training lessons for the teaching staff of 1st and 2nd level public secondary schools in the provinces of Palermo and Trapani for the 2009/2010 academic year and the creation of teaching aids able to capture the attention of young students as well as the many nautical experiences aimed at students.
First phase: training lessons for the teaching staff. The lessons were conducted by distinguished scholars and regarded data relative to recent archaeological examinations aimed at individuating the structure of ancient ports with particular reference to a broad chronological period extending from the Punic epoch to the late-Roman era. An instructional lecture was dedicated to ancient Mediterranean navigation. The conferences were held on the grounds of CAM - Campus Archeological Museum of Triscina, Selinunte – Castelvetrano (TP) for schools of the Province of Trapani, at 4:00 p.m. the first scheduled day, the second day was dedicated to teachers coming from schools within the Province of Trapani. A certificate of participation will be given to all teachers present. CALENDAR: André Laronde– March 16-17 – The ports and docks of Libia G. De Guidi - C. Monaco – March 23-24 – Historical and morphological evidence of the rapid submersion occurring in the late-Holocenic period on the west coast of the island of Lipari – the role of geological factors in the antique port system of Catania Vlado Zoric – March 30-31 – La Cala and the port of Palermo David Blackman-M.Costanza Lentini – April 13-14 – The arsenal of Naxos in Sicily. Results and prospects of research. Gioacchino Lena – April 20-21 – Ports and docks of south-west Sicily Admiral Sq. Claudio De Polo – April 28-29 – The antique navigation in the Mediterranean Alessandra Ricci – May 3-4 – Recent excavations in the Byzantine port of Istanbul Second phase: Educational workshop The second phase of the project involved the production of a map of known and presumed port facilities and whose possible risks to archeological sites and artefacts will be evaluated and reported. This document paper will be prepared based upon a survey of archaeological evidence either already identified or to be identified with their respective georeferential positioning on cartographic means. An identifying chart will be elaborated signaling all information as to function, geological dating, possibility of evaluation and risks relative to each recorded artifact. Following this will be a phase of linking card and paper to arrive at a finished product consisting in a WIKI, i.e., a multimedia product to be emitted and managed on the Web and made part of scholastic institutions, possibly enhanced with the creation of a link added to the website of the Superintendence of the Sea in order to make the best use of these means of publication and diffusion. CAM celebrates one year of activity
Location: Triscina, Selinunte A day of conferences at CAM one year after its opening: the state of work and the progress of the project On Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at CAM, Campus Archeological Museum, of Triscina, Selinunte, a celebration of one year since its opening took place with a conference dedicated to Visions and Projects of the center. At 9:30 a.m. the president of the Foundation and the authorities greeted the participants. The conference began with three topics of discussion: the CAM worksite during which the book and photographic project of Iris Janke was presented, the inaugural speech made at CAM in October 2008; CAM CONTENT, to discuss the safeguarding and the legality in the field of art, with particular attention to recent archaeological retrievals; CAM STUDIES Visions and Projects, with additional discussions on themes such as research and the diagnostics of cultural heritage; on excavations within the Timpone Nero-Manicalunga necropolis; on the port of Selinunte with analysis of new technologies in underwater archaeology; methods of extraction and transport of stones of the Caves of Cusa of Selinunte; and finally, with the presentation of the archaeological restoration laboratory. The morning’s work was followed by a lunch buffet. From 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. it was possible to visit the Campus, its laboratories and view the exhibitions present at CAM as well as audiovisual materials relative to the seminars and concerts held during the inaugural event. Art and Restoration Parlour of Florence
Location: Florence The Kepha Foundation was invited to participate in the first Art and Restoration Parlour of Florence The first annual Art and Restoration Parlour was held at the Leopolda Station of Florence, an international gathering attracting some of the most important operators in this field. The event, directed by Dr. Elena Amodei and president Dr. Franco Sottani, was inaugurated at 9:30 a.m., October 29th, 2009 and concluded on October 31st. The Kepha Foundation was invited to take part with a presentation intitled Chemical Examinations of wall paintings of Bicci di Lorenzo, in the Sala Boito Hall, on Thursday, October 29, at 5:30 p.m. The aim of the presentation was to illustrate the state of preservation and the principal results of the chemical-physic analyses of twenty samples taken from three mural paintings in the Santa Maria della Disciplina convent of Galluzzo. The work was carried out by Dr. Andrea Pandolfi at the Departments of Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, University of Florence, and the ICVBC of CNR Institute of Florence. The testing was preceded by a mapping out of the deterioration detected in the art works, an endeavor which permitted a more precise sampling to be carried out in those areas where it was necessary to obtain information as to the original materials applied during previous preservation interventions. The data gathered from these chemical examinations led to the characterization of the techniques used by the artist and the materials applied during previous “maintenance” interventions. Thanks to this work, the stratigraphic sequence of the extraction of the samples was reconstructed, separating the information relative to the surface layers from that of the deeper layers, in an attempt to assess the effect produced by the passing of “painter time”. Speakers: Andrea Pandolfi, Kepha Foundation Onlus, with regard to laboratory tests and Fabrizio Iacopini, Palazzo Spinelli Institute for Art and Restoration, for the illustration of the preservation interventions carried out thus far.
Exhibition at CAM
The exhibition entitled Mediterraneo - La memoria delle pietre – Selinunte, visioni possibili brings to light the antique Greek-Sicilian civilization, forgotten for centuries What was Selinunte six centuries before Christ? How was life in the great Greek-Sicilian metropolis which had a fundamental political role linking Greeks, indigenous persons and Phoenicians? In the exhibition Mediterranean – The Memory of the Stones – Selinunte, Possibile Visions created by architect Pier Paolo Raffa using antique images and photographs, recounts a city which reached its maximum splendor from 650 to 259 B.C. only to be subsequently destroyed and forgotten. The connection with the water, the profound fascination of the “shapeless heap of stones” which captured the attention of important archaeologists, adventurers and intellectuals such as J.P. Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, were recounted through evocative images left by travelers and scholars of every era and the nineteenth-century photos of the archaeological site. Possible visions, images of what could have been the antique prestige of a city linked to the sea, daughter of the sea; the attempt to imagine a place and its community just before its decline. La exhibition which opened July 5th, 2009 in the presence of Professor Sebastiano Tusa, Superintendent of the Sea, was made possible with collaboration of the Giovanni Gentile International Center and sponsored by the Superintendence of the Sea, of the Navy and of the Municipality of Castelvetrano and Campobello di Mazara. It was possible to visit the exhibition, hosted by Kepha Foundation on the grounds of CAM– Campus Archaeological Museum of Triscina of Selinunte (TR) through the end of October. At 9:00 p.m. the evening of the inauguration, the singer-songwriter Marilia Vesco, together with her musical group, performed a concert featuring his original compositions ranging from jazz to ethnic and Brazilian sounds. Cultural Events at CAM
Location:Triscina, Selinunte (TP) A month of readings, documentaries and movies on the theme of Greek classics and Archaeology, in the setting of CAM - Campus Archaeological Museum Every Tuesday and Friday, CAM was animated by cultural events. Nestled in the Campus Archaeological Museum of Triscina, Selinunte in the province of Trapani, the Kepha Foundation wanted to create a setting where culture, art, archaeology and the classics could merge. A program of events, free of charge, permitted the public to participate in the cultural life of CAM, and, at the same time to visit the extraordinary grounds of the Campus. The program, set up by Professor Giuseppe L. Bonanno, included the projection of films and documentaries on archaeological themes and the reading of Greek classics and Sicilian poetry. The documentaries and films, very significant to the Selinuntian archaeological area, were presented by film director Salvo Cuccia, whose comprehensive retrospective is important both under an archaeological as well as a cultural standpoint. Of particular interest was the documentary film presented the evening of August 14th, offering a vast voyage transiting the cultural heart of Sicily; a recount of the island through the writings of its greatest poets: Giovanni Meli, who lived in the 700’s and who is accredited with having rendered Sicilian an out-and-out language; Nino Martoglio, who, between 1800 and 1900 dedicated himself to comic and burlesque literature; and Nino Atria, 19th century poet born in Castelvetrano. In addition to the readings, Professor Bonanno also organized the preparation of the interpretations presented by Lory Fontana e Alberto Firenze. Guitarist Gaspare Nastasi struck musical notes during the readings of the young Giordana Firenze who recited the introduction to the evenings featuring classical music, in Greek and in Latin. PROGRAM: June 12 and 13, conference on Vincenzo TusaLocation: Selinunte (TP) Selinunte (TP): Tribute to Vincenzo Tusa: a two-day conference to render homage to the great archaeologist passed away in March. A two-day conference was held at the Baglio Florio in Selinunte on the theme "Selinunte and the Mediterranean in our lives. The role of Vincenzo Tusa in the discovery of the population of ancient Sicily", commencing at 10:00 on June 12th, in commemoration of the great scholar and pioneer of Mediterranean archaeology who died in March 2009. An occasion to reflect upon the achievements of one of Italy’s most important scholars, a great part of whose research was focused on Sicilian archaeology. It was Vincenzo Tusa who first spoke of the presence of Carthaginians on the island, a population theretofore unheard of, and who gave rise to major national and international study collaborations of Sicilian archaeology; moreover, the opening of the archaeological site of Selinunte and the excavations undertaken in the western part of the island are also due to his efforts. These two days in Selinunte were taken to highlight the characteristic features of the archaeologist, who, in the sixties, made a very important imprinting to the analysis of the findings in Sicily, to underwater archeological research and in particular for the study of the three ancient civilizations of Sicily: Punic, Greek and Elymian. Besides being a great scholar, Tusa was also an attentive cultural operator, active in the protection of the Sicilian patrimony and a strongly defied the mafia in order to safeguard the archaeological sites of western Sicily, creating Italy’s first archaeological park in Selinunte. The celebratory event, which was preceded by a first appointment in Ustica on June 6th, was made possible thanks to funding of POR (Operative Regional Program) Sicilia. Both conferences were organized by the Superintendence of the Sea, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of Palermo, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of Trapani, through the Service for Archaeological of these same Superintendences, the Municipality of Ustica, the Municipality of Castelvetrano, and the Kepha Foundation. Inauguration of CAM – Conference
Location: Triscina, Selinunte (TP) CAM opens with a conference reflecting on the hypothesis of work A conference marked the opening of CAM, the Campus Archaeological Museaum of Triscina, Selinunte, a project enabling the Kepha Foundation to -- thanks to POR which the Sicilian Regional Administration made available for the recovery of the areas, and to the patronage of the Municipality-- create an Archaeological Campus for students and researchers, managed by Sicilian experts and involving the University of Palermo, the University of Bologna and the CNR – National Research Centre.
The conference, given its name by CAM: hypothesis of work. The featured speakers included important figures in archaeology who were able to compare views on the future. Amongst speakers was Don Patrizio Benvenuti, President of the Kepha Foundation; Dr. Rossella Giglio, director of the Service for Archaeological and Environmental Superintendenceza of Trapani; Nunzio Allegro, Professor of Archaeology of Magna Graecia, University of Palermo; Sandro De Maria, Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Bologna; Enrico Acquaro, Professor of Phoenician Archaeology, University of Bologna; Professor Piero Frediani, Director of the Institute for the Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage of the National Council Research; and Dr. Martine Fourmont, honorary member of the Institute of Ancient Architecture Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris. Inauguration of CAM – Concert
Location: Triscina, Selinunte (Tp) Two concerts celebrating the opening of CAM - Campus Archeological Museum of Triscina, Selinunte Two musical concerts open to the public free of admission marked the opening of CAM, Campus Archeological Museum which involved the Kepha Foundation in the recovery of the Sicilian archaeological area which, for many years, had been reduced to a state of decay. On October 18th at 8:30 p.m. was a classical guitar concert featuring Cristian Wernicke. On October 19th the conclusion of the celebration was entrusted to soprano Katia Ricciarelli who performed at 8:30 p.m. together with tenor Francesco Zingariello. Two important events which found the natural scenery of CAM a place of great charm and extreme versatility. Concert at Poppi
Location: Poppi Katia Ricciarelli performed once again, in Poppi, at a concert in the public square For the second consecutive year Katia Ricciarelli returned to Poppi to hold an internship for the young singers of the International Lyrical Academy, the prestigious institution founded by the singer in 1991. Once again this year to host the soprano and her students was the seat of Poppi of the Kepha Foundation, in a wing of the Monastery of the Camaldolesi Nuns. As promised the year prior, after the very enthusiastically received mid-summer concerts, Katia Ricciarelli together with tenor Francesco Zingariello and the same students performed once again his year for the closing of the master, on August 28th. The location, Piazza Jacopo Bordoni, known to the inhabitants of Poppi as “il Pratellino”, a unique terrace situated below the castle, ideal both in terms of scenery as well as an acoustic point of view. The repertoire was taken from The Bohème of Giacomo Puccini, in honour of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Concerts in PoppiConcert of August 14th, San Fedele Benedictine Abbey
Concert of August 16th, Castle of Conti Guidi
Location:Poppi A musical mid-summer in Poppi: Katia Ricciarelli performs together with her students in two evenings dedicated to music, free admission Two evenings of music with Katia Ricciarelli in Poppi: on August 14th at 9:30 p.m. the soprano performed in the marvelous setting of San Fedele Benedictine Abbey and for the second date, August 16th, in the atrium of the Castle of Conti Guidi. The entry to both events was free of charge. The two concerts marked the conclusion of the master program which the soprano, together with tenor Francesco Zingariello, held for 10 lyrical singers, one of Korean origin and nine Italians, sponsored by the Academy founded in 1991 by Ms. Ricciarelli, hosted on the site of the Kepha Foundation’s seat of Poppi, not far from the castle, in a wing of the Monastery of the Camaldolesi Nuns. In the first evening’s performance on August 14th, Katia Ricciarelli, together with tenor Francesco Zingariello, presented a repertoire of sacred arias of Haendel, Caccini, Durante, Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Pergolesi, Gluck e Mercadante. The second performance, on August 16th, featured Katia Ricciarelli and the singers of the International Lyric Academy, accompanied by maestro Emanuele De Filippis, in an innovative concert arrangement version of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”. Nature- Art Encounter Award
Location:Chiusi della Verna Conferring of the Natura Arte Incontro Award On August 2nd, at 3:30 p.m. in the antique Podesteria of Chiusi della Verna, the Honorable Andrea Marcucci, State Undersecretary of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities, was presented the 2007 Natura Arte Incontro award for art by the Mayor of Chiusi della Verna. The award, established in 2006 and produced jointly by the Michelangelo Cultural Association and the Kepha Foundation, aims to acknowledge collaborative initiatives which are based upon fundamental existential values. The Natura Arte Incontro award was conceived to be awarded annually to persons of different cultures and religions who are committed to cultivating and safeguarding dialogue and cooperation among peoples. Pax Hominibus Concert
Location: Genoa
Kepha organized, in Genoa, the Pax Hominibus concert in honour of newly appointed Bishop Angelo Bagnasco In honour of newly appointed Archbishop of Genoa, His Excellency Monsignor Angelo Bagnasco, the Kepha Foundation organized the Christmas concert Pax Hominibus in Genoa’s Carlo Felice Theater, on December 2nd at 8:00 p.m., in partnership with the Municipality of Genoa and with the patronage of the Regional Administration of Liguria and of the highest national institutions. Katia Ricciarelli, together with the Archi della Scala di Milano Ensemble, directed by Leonardo Quadrini and along with tenor Giuseppe Talamo, Francesco Zingariello and Aldo Gallone, performed in honour of the recent election to the Archbishop’s Seat of San Siro by Pope Benedict XVI. The Christmas concert, whose tickets were distribued free of charge by the box office of the Carlo Felice Theater, featured a classical repertoire ranging from Mozart, Vivaldi, Berlin, Brahms, Haendel e Adams; the aim of the Kepha Foundation, was, in fact to offer the concert to the citizens of Genoa. Among those present representing the Italian Government were Francesco Rutelli, Minister for Cultural Heritage and Activities; Giuliano Amato, Minister of the Interior; Defence Minister Arturo Parisi, and Clemente Mastella, Minister of Justice. The concert, in honour of the new Archbishop, was an exceptional and unprecedented event, such that upon receiving news of the event, Monsignor Bagnasco thanked the Municipality of Genoa as well as the Kepha Foundation for the “courteous and pleasing homage”. Establishment of the Natura Arte Incontro Award
Location: Chiusi della VernaPeriod: June 2006 Establishment of the Natura Arte Incontro Award The award was conceived of in a collaboration between the Michelangelo Cultural Association and the Kepha Foundation, to be awarded yearly to persons of different cultures and religions who are committed to cultivating and safeguarding dialogue and cooperation among peoples, in recognition cooperative activities based upon fundamental existential values. The experience of the European Cultural Association Michelangelo, which for many years has met thousands of persons of various nationalities in its headquarters in Chiusi, led to the realization that the themes of nature, art and social encounter are a common denominator to mankind. From this came the desire to link these themes in setting of the National Park of the Casentino Forest. The first edition’s award was bestowed to television journalist Stefano Ziantoni for Communications. This journalist of the Italian public television network RAI, whose résumé is of great prestige, was the only journalist authorized by NATO to board Italian military aircraft involved in the war of 1999 in the former Yugoslavia; four years prior to this he conducted an interview with Yasser Arafat during which the Palestine leader invited Pope John Paul II, for the first time, to visit the Holy Land. It was the hostess of the event, Katia Ricciarelli, who discovered the restoration work carried out on the plate dating back to 1875 which testifies to the presence of the Buonarroti family in Chiusi della Verna. In the course of the event Alessandro De Vivo took the opportunity to highlight his thesis, supported by Professor Pierluigi De Vecchi of the University of Milan and recognized by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Tuscany: the painter retains that Michelangelo wanted to leave testimony of his birth in the landscape seen in the affresco mural painting La Creazione di Adamo (“The Creation of Adam”), in the Sistine Chapel. In fact, the landscape bears a strong similarity to that which may be viewed from the Podesteria of Chiusi, where Michelangelo’s father carried out his functions as representative of the Florentine Republic, from 1474 to 1475. Kepha and its Maestri
Location: Rome At Palazzo Barberini, Kepha and its Maestri: exhibition of the works of the various Maestri of art, precious collaborators of the Kepha Foundation Kepha and its Maestri: this was the name given to the exhibition inaugurated in Rome by the Kepha Foundation in the halls of Palazzo Barberini. With this initiative the Foundation wished to publicly exhibit works of the many artists who have consistently collaborated with the Kepha Foundation. Many guests attended the private viewing, including His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, President of the Pontifical Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church; His Excellency Paolo Tarso Flecha de Lima, Brazilian Ambassador to Italy, as well as a large number of art lovers. |
