L’Aquila’s Christmas-market booths are backdropped by scaffolded buildings, devastated in the 2009 earthquake. A towering Christmas tree laced with dim twinkling lights in the main square stands tall in front of the scaffolded cathedral, the long arm of a huge crane stretched over it, like a cumbersome arm.
Christmas booths backdropped by scaffolding buildings
L’Aquila, still a “wounded” city
Behind the Christmas tree, the scaffolded cathedral, huge crane over it
But the Christmas gift-giving has started in L’Aquila. On December 8th, an Assisi builder – specialized in restoration of historic buildings – Giuseppe Alagna (“Pino”) gifted the Abruzzo capital city of L’Aquila with a musical event performed in the stunning Renzo Piano auditorium, a pre-fab building assembled on site, sent as a post-earthquake gift from the Region of Trentino AltoAdige.
Pino in front of L’Aquila’s Renzo Piano auditorium
Artisan Pino brings two artists to L’Aquila – as a Christmas gift to the city
As the Alagna restoration firm – Impresa Edile Giuseppe Alagna – was active in earthquake restoration in Assisi 1997 and is now completing a two-year earthquake restoration in L’Aquila, Pino wished to symbolically “link” the two cities and at the same time, offer a cultural event to this Abruzzo capital city where he and his restoration team have labored with dedication.
Impresa Edile Giuseppe Alagna on the job in L’Aquila
Restoration complete – bravissimi, Pino and team!
Alagna’s company is based in Assisi and appropriately, his gift to L’Aquila was from Assisi: talented Assisi jazz pianist Ramberto Ciammarughi’s “Laud for San Francesco” – called by him a “melologo” (readings intertwined with music) – interlaced with captivating readings by the actor, Eugenio Allegri. As the artists put it: “a small personal tribute by an actor and a musician to the great Saint of Assisi, a jester, singer and poet”
After the performance, artisan Pino with the artists
Renzo Piano’s auditorium was nearly full; the enthusiastic audience applause at the end of the performance was a warm mille grazie for the Alagna-sponsored Christmas gift to L’Aquila.
Warm applause from the audience
The artists accept the audience enthusiasm
Pino, we’re proud of you!
See Pino’s restoration work here
Read about where we stayed, enroute to L’Aquila
Read about – and see – L’Aquila restoration
Read more on L’Aquila, “wounded eagle “
Read about another Abruzzo earthquake damaged town
Read about good eating in L’Aquila
Find out why we so love Abruzzo
Read about memorable Abruzzo adventures
Read about an enchanting Abruzzo hill town
Read about news on an Abruzzo fortified town
Read about an appreciated cultural contribution to L’Aquila from Pino
Namaste amis,
What a wonderful idea!
Congratulations Pino!
We are trying to save Pondicherry’s heritage and I am learning about the pernicious effects of the all too ubiquitous Portland cement.
Umbria comes up in a lot of studies. methinks you should really come & visit, Anne & Pino. We could do with hearing about Pino’s hands on experience. Heavy rains causing such flooding that we may be floating away on the Bay of Bengal, in which case tis we’ll need a keg of rum & fishing rods!
On a serious note, shall return to Assisi end April with many serious questions for Pino & probably bring Indian contacts to meet him & discuss his restoration projects!
Salutations distinguées
Virginia
Bravo Pino – a wonderful gesture! What could be better to soothe the heart than beautiful music (You look lovely, Anne)
Looks like a huge undertaking! Beautiful work, Pino and Anne, who says you’re not photogenic? You both look great!
Thanks so much to you each for your comments / and yes, a memorable evening.
So proud of Pino
Nice Pino! Wish we could have been there!
Wish you could have been there, too, Nick / quite an event!
Really great evening! If I’m not mistaken, I saw a picture of your whole family, or at least 1 son, a daughter, and your son’s wife?? You’ll have to enlighten me. Thanks for sharing.
Pino, what a hard working and sharing visionary you are. It must be wonderful to see your work come to completion. I hope to meet you some day. Say hi to what’s her name. 🙂
Yes, you can see our son Keegan and his wife, Francesca…and our Giulia in red, Rosemary..
and Peter, thanks to you, too, for your note