University and Culture: Celebrating 250 Years of the Roveretana Academy
On the occasion of the official inauguration of the 250th anniversary of the Accademia Roveretana degli Agiati, attendees included, in addition to prominent figures of the city, the Undersecretary of the University, Dr. Luciano Guerzoni, and the Rector of the University of Trento, Massimo Egidi.
Speeches by the Authorities
“Every investment in culture,” he began, “is valuable—more than any other, especially for young people.” He then emphasized how the activities of the Academy over time serve as a testament to “a culture built through the convergence of a thousand streams, that is, from contact with many diverse realities. Culture is the universal language of humanity that seeks recognition as such. Europe will only exist through culture.”
Rector Egidi, who did not limit himself to presenting his speech on the theme assigned to him, “University and the Challenges of the Future,” offered the following comments.
Reflections on the University
“Speaking about the institutions of knowledge,” began the Rector, “it becomes clear that the university is one, not all the others. Its role is therefore limited, so we must ask what role it has today.”
From here, the rector briefly analyzed the development of the university over time, highlighting how the dissemination of knowledge has always been difficult.
“Man was always torn between sharing a discovery, and thus enriching himself with it, or keeping it to himself to prevent someone else from copying it. In the 1800s, at the university, the idea was established that both dialogue and knowledge are very important. If knowledge does not circulate, people cannot enrich themselves, and thus develop and evolve.”
This legacy has reached us, and this is the role that the university must play.
“The ability to be critical, to question oneself—these are essential elements. When these roles are lost within knowledge institutions, impoverishment occurs not only in culture but globally,” he emphasized.
Rector Egidi then concluded his speech by emphasizing what constitutes culture.
The Role of Culture and the University
“Culture cannot exist without a level of international dialogue. The university is a bridge, a network that maintains high-level relations with the rest of the international scientific community. Transitioning to innovation and invention requires a complex relationship, not merely specialization,” he explained.
In short, the future lies in the plurality of knowledge, in the ability to continuously question oneself, and in the awareness that ongoing education and updating are the future.
“After all,” he added, “we cannot expect anything else from a society based on knowledge and on the primary role of human capital.”
On this occasion, Dr. Pegoretti of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto publicly announced the Foundation’s intention to sponsor the Academy.
“It is about adapting to the times, to a world where knowledge increasingly becomes an element of community development,” he concluded.
