Press release

OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION

IMAGES OF A LOST WORLD: FR. ALBERTO DE AGOSTINI.

MAN, NATURE, ART & SCIENCE

October 24 – December 24, 2023
Casa Don Bosco Museum

Turin, Sept. 25, 2023 – Casa Don Bosco Museum will host from Oct. 24 to Dec. 24, 2023 the traveling exhibition, Images of a Lost World: Fr. Alberto De Agostini. Man, Nature Art and Science, curated by Prof. Francesco Motto, SDB of the Salesian Historical Institute in Rome and Prof. Nicola Bottiglieri, University of Cassino.

The inauguration ceremony will be held on October 24, 2023 at Casa Don Bosco Museum. It will proceed in two parts: the presentation of the volume by Fr. Alberto Maria De Agostini, entitled, The Last Explorer of the “End of the World” (Rome: LAS, 2023) edited by Francesco Motto, and the opening of the temporary exhibition entitled Images of a Lost World: Don Alberto De Agostini. Man, Nature, Art and Science.

The exhibition presents the figure of Fr. Alberto Maria De Agostini (Pollone Nov. 2, 1883-Turin Dec. 25, 1960) a Salesian, priest, missionary, explorer, mountaineer, geographer cartographer and photographer already the focus of an international study conference held at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome (April 25-27, 2022) curated by the Salesian Historical Institute in collaboration with an international scientific committee.

The program begins at 3:30 p.m. with the presentation of De Agostini’s volume coordinated by the conference promoter on De Agostini, Prof. Nicola Bottiglieri of the University of Cassino. Master of Ceremonies will be Fr. Mike Pace, SDB, Casa Don Bosco Tour and Itinerary Coordinator. Greeting will follow from His Worship Sandro Bonino, Mayor of Pollone (Biella), Prof. Silvano Oni of the Salesian University of Turin-UPS, Dr. Daniela Berta, director of the National Mountain Museum “Duca degli Abruzzi” Italian Alpine Club of Turin, and Mr. Giuliano Maresi, mountaineer and instructor of the “Ragni di Lecco” School of Rock Climbing. The curator of the conference and volume, Prof. Francesco Motto, and Dr. Ana Martín García, General Coordinator of Casa Don Bosco Museum, will be present.

This is a traveling exhibition. It was unveiled at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome (April 25, 2022) as part of an international study conference. It then moved to the University of Padua where it was displayed during the CUIA conference (Nov. 17-18, 2022). After Casa Don Bosco it will proceed to the Italian Geographical Society Headquarters in Rome (January-February 2024) and conclude in Lecco where it will be hosted by the “Ragni di Lecco” (March-April 2024).

The ribbon cutting ceremony takes place on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. by the Rector Major of the Salesians and neo cardinal, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.

The exhibition’s time frame, from Oct. 24 to Dec. 24, 2023, coincides with four recurrences: the anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition to Patagonia (Nov. 11, 1875); the 2023- 2024 Salesian Missionary Animation Journey (starting Oct. 29, 2023); the launching of the series of international initiatives in preparation for the 150th anniversary of Salesian missions (2025); and the 63rd anniversary of Fr. De Agostini’s death.

A related event will be a screening on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. of the film Terre Magellaniche (100′ – 1933) by Fr. Alberto Maria De Agostini. Admission is free.

Organizers:

  • Dr. Ana Martín García, General Coordinator Casa Don Bosco Museum.
  • Prof. Francesco Motto, curator. Salesian Historical Institute.
  • Prof. Nicola Bottiglieri, curator. University of Cassino.

For more information:

Download the press release

Discover the exhibition