Valdocco, Turin, 4 October 2020 -- After the deliberation of General Chapter 27 (2014) and focused attention over the past 3 years, the Museum - Casa Don Bosco - at the Valdocco Motherhouse of the Salesian Society in Turin is finally open to the public.
The entire exhibition space of 4000 square meters, 27 exhibition rooms, includes the original Pinardi shed (1846) and all further constructions done by Don Bosco has seen renovation into what is effectively a new ‘Museum Casa Don Bosco' featuring the places of origin of Don Bosco's educational and spiritual adventure.
The Official opening in the presence of the Rector Major and distinguished guests was celebrated during the last three days:
A Press Conference took place on Friday (Oct 2) for the presentation of this renewed centre in the Motherhouse at Valdocco. Moderated by the Co-spokesperson of the Rector Major, Fr. Giuseppe Costa, the following persons shared the story of this project: Mr Vittorio Sgarbi – Art Critic; Mr Alessandro Isaia, Secretary General of the Turin Culture Foundation; Mr Sergio Sabbadini, Head of the architecture project; Mr Massimo Chiappetta, Head of the museographic project; Fr Cristian Besso SDB and Ms Stefania De Vita, first Director of the Casa Don Bosco. The day's activities ended with an aperitif offered by the students of the Vocational Training Centre at Valdocco under the "Goodnight" colonnade.
The Official Inauguration of Casa Don Bosco was on Saturday (Oct 3) in the Valdocco Theatre, in the presence of civil and religious authorities. Together with the Rector Major were Ms Anna Laura Orrico, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and for Tourism; Mr Alberto Cirio, Piedmont Regional Councillor, Ms Chiara Appendino, Mayor of Turin and Turin Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia.
The Triduum of the Inauguration concluded with the Eucharist in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians (Oct 4), at which Fr Ángel Fernández Artime was main celebrant, followed by the opening of Casa Don Bosco for general public. Among the distinguished guests present were also Fr Pascual Chavez, Rector Major emeritus and SDB General Councillors and Sr Yvonne Rengaut, FMA. From the EAO region there were Sr Teresia Furuki, Superior General of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus and Br Hilario Seo, official SDB photographer for the event.
Although AustraLasia readers will not be able to visit Casa Don Bosco any time soon, thanks to the strong Salesian media coverage on the ANS Facebook page and on the ANS YouTube channel, all interested members of the Salesian Family may pay a digital visit to the museum.
Welcome to meeting Don Bosco at his renewed Casa at Valdocco!
- Casa Don Bosco - presentation video (English)
- New website of Casa Don Bosco (so far only in Italian language)
- ANS Photo on Flicker (October 2-4, 2020) - Part 1
- ANS Photo on Flicker (October 2-4, 2020) - Part 2
Torino Missioni Don Bosco - videos about Don Bosco 2020:
