Gardesana Culture Federation Advances Heritage Projects and Training in 2001
From an activity promoted by a group of cultural heritage enthusiasts to a serious and structured project. The federation of Associazioni gardesane cultura e ambiente (Gardesana Culture and Environment Associations) has won its bet. Established in a notary office in Desenzano, on the first day of spring 2000, it has gradually affiliated around a dozen significant associative realities, surpassing 2,100 members.
On January 12th, in Padenghe, at the Archeolab headquarters, the federation renewed its leadership and presented a draft work plan for 2001. The president Gianpietro Brogiolo and organizational secretary Renato Laffranchini were re-elected.
The vice presidency was assigned to Adalberto Piccoli, with Francesco Giardina as treasurer, and Mirella Scudellari as a member without portfolio. The board of auditors now includes Gino Ravenoldi, Sergio Boem, and Emilio Crosato.
Federated associations
The latest federated circle is the associazione culturale Pietro Pomponazzo of Mantova, which has long operated along the shores of Lake Garda, aiming to promote artistic-musical training and deepen studies on choral singing, especially within the school sector.
The full list of members now includes the “Ricerche e fortificazioni altomedioevali” association of Polpenazze, the historical-archeological society of the Garda Riviera, the friends of Castellaro Lagusello, the study center “Carlo Brusa” in Desenzano, the archeological group of Tariana, the naturalistic center “La rocca” in Manerba, friends of the Ugo da Como foundation, and “Buona terra” in Lonato, the Unio of Peschiera del Garda, the “Grotte” group of Gavardo, and the cultural association “Indipendentemente” of Desenzano.
Projects and initiatives for 2001
A key focus of the many projects planned for 2001 is a training course for cultural operators in the Garda territory, which will commence on February 3rd. The initiative is sponsored by Comunità del Garda, Comune di Desenzano, and financially supported by Regione Lombardia.
The Pirellone (Lombardy Regional Council) granted a substantial contribution of 36 million lire just before Christmas. “The course has been a success: we received 63 applications, but we will have to reduce that to around forty,” explains Laffranchini. “These will be divided between active students, who are required to attend, and auditors.”
The reduction also reflects the availability of operational spaces offered by individual associations for internships. Thanks to the sensitivity of the Desenzano municipal administration, including mayor Anelli, councilors Giustacchini (Culture), Marostica (Social Services), and the president of the cultural center management committee, Cugini, the course’s venue was secured in the multifunctional hall on Via Castello.
This space is part of the large municipal complex for seniors, inaugurated last spring. The federation, transcending local rivalries in the name of common interests, is achieving success that extends well beyond provincial borders.
The affiliated groups cover an area from Riva to Manerbio and from Cremona to Mantova. In the upcoming spring, the federation also plans to organize a “global” symposium on cultural tourism in Garda.