Among the guests who confirmed their presence are: Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians; the well-known art critic Vittorio Sgarbi; Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region; Chiara Appendino, Mayor of Turin; various authorities of the Italian institutional, artistic and cultural world, together with those responsible for the architectural, museographic and museological project of this “house-museum”.
The President of the Region and the Councilor for Culture and Tourism comment that there could not have been a better choice than to create a "house-museum" to tell the story of a man who was a point of reference and "home" for hundreds of thousands of young people over two centuries, and who is, still today, an innovative precursor of a formation and educational system that is more current than ever.
A story or history, Don Bosco's, deeply connected to the life and traditions of Piedmont. A bond that the House Museum narrates through the settings recreated to immerse the visitor into the private and working daily life of the Salesian community, enriched by important collections of sacred art that represent a heritage for all those who shall choose to visit.
"Our Congregation of the 'Salesians of Don Bosco' has the joy and responsibility of delivering, for the good of the whole Salesian family in the world, for the pilgrims and tourists of the City of Turin, the new, completely renovated museum design of the places of the origins, of Don Bosco's educational and spiritual adventure," declared the Rector Major, Fr Á.F. Artime. "The rooms located under the courtyard and the Mother House were renovated, but the collection of objects belonging to both Don Bosco and the first Salesian community was also completely restored. It is a heritage to be discovered and enjoyed, to appreciate its cultural, devotional and Salesian identity."
The three days for the official opening are:
Friday 2 October - Press conference addressed to press and media professionals for a complete presentation of the new museum itinerary (by accreditation and invitation);
Saturday 3 October - Inauguration of the Casa Don Bosco Museum in the presence of the civil and religious authorities (by accreditation and invitation);
Sunday 4 October - Opening to the public of the Casa Don Bosco Museum (free access).
From January 2021 the Museum will be included in the Museum Subscription circuit.
The opening of the new Museum represents a unique opportunity to get closer to Salesian history and that of the city of Turin.
For more information, please visit the website: https://basilicamariaausiliatrice.it/inaugurazione-museo-casa-don-bosco/
