Today the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova, has opened in virtual mode the inaugural event of the “Dante700” photo exhibition at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The exhibition is one of the initiatives promoted by the Foreign Ministry to celebrate the seventh centenary of the death of Dante Alighieri around the world. It is an innovative and exciting photo-reportage by the renowned photojournalist Massimo Sestini, which features twenty shots of places linked to Dante’s life or his memory (including Florence, Ravenna, Venice and Verona), highlighting the poet’s legacy as a living presence in today’s world.
Deputy Minister Della Vedova has emphasised that “Dante is not only a key figure in Italian history and culture, but also has a genuinely universal stature, exploring human passions in a way that we can all still relate to and providing a consistent and steadfast model of civil commitment.”
The Deputy Minister has stressed that Sestini’s work reminds us today of the relevance and unique significance of the contribution of artists and craftsmen working in the cultural and creative sectors and who are dramatically affected by the pandemic. In this regard, while emphasising the importance of the consolidated bilateral cooperation between Italy and UNESCO, Deputy Minister Della Vedova has expressed strong appreciation for the efforts made by the organisation since the first phase of the health emergency to support cultural activities, through monitoring the closure of cultural sites, launching social campaigns and reshaping the cultural offer through online platforms and webinars.
The project enjoys the support of the Ministry of Culture and of the Municipality of Florence and benefits from the scientific advice of Domenico De Martino, literature Professor at the University of Pavia. The exhibition has already been shown at the Quirinale Palace and at Santa Maria Novella in Florence, and will be presented in other European capitals, after the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, such as Madrid and Berlin.
