The event was preceded by the presentation of the book Fr Alberto Maria de Agostini, the last explorer of the “confines of the world” (Don Alberto Maria De Agostini, l'ultimo esploratore della "fine del mondo") published by Salesian University Library, Rome (LAS - 2023), edited by Fr Francesco Motto, who also moderated the proceedings. The programme was introduced by Fr Mike Pace, Coordinator of the visits to House of Don Bosco Museum, in the presence of Dr. Francesco Botto Poala, Deputy Mayor of Pollone (Biella), Fr De Agostini's native village who also addressed the gathering.
Illustrating the figure of Fr. De Agostini (1883-1960) - Salesian, missionary, explorer, geographer, photographer, and film-maker - were Prof. Fr. Silvano Oni, lecturer at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Turin branch; Dr Daniela Berta, Director of the Duke of the Abruzzi ('Duca degli Abruzzi') National Mountain Museum of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) in Turin; and Mr Giuliano Maresi, a mountaineer and instructor of the 'Ragni di Lecco' (Frogs of Lecco) Rock School.
The Coordinative Secretary of the Salesian Historical Institute, Prof. Fr Stanisław Zimniak, ended the proceedings by thanking the speakers and organizers of the event, which will have an interesting appendix on Saturday 28 October with the screening of the film, "Terre Magellaniche" (The Magellanic Lands – created in 1933) by Fr De Agostini himself, presented by the Museum Coordinator Dr Ms Ana Martín García.
The exhibition on Fr. De Agostini will remain open until 24 December in Turin-Valdocco and will then be set up again in Lecco in February-March 2024.
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