The Marche Region is celebrating
its 50th anniversary with an array of initiatives, including a
photo exhibition at Ancona's Mole Vanvitelliana complex.
The show, produced in collaboration with ANSA and the Fondazione
Marche Cultura foundation, opened on July 10 and runs every day,
from 15:00 to 21:00, until July 31.
The aim is to tell the story of the area's development via its
regional government with over 100 photos.
So the show describes the changes going from an agricultural
economy to one with industrial districts, the earthquakes that
devastated the region, the community and administrative
activities for the development of tourism that led to Marche
being named the second-top region in Lonely Planet magazine's
Best in Travel 2020 ranking and the period of the COVID-19
emergency.
The ribbon was cut by Antonio Mastrovincenzo, the president of
the regional assembly, ANSA Deputy Director General Andrea
Fossati, ANSA Marche Desk Chief Alessandra Massi and Fondazione
Marche Cultura Deputy Director Riccardo Fonti Bandini.
Civilian and military officials were present too, along with
regional councillors Elena Leonardi and Gianni Maggi and ARPAM
Director Giancarlo Marchetti.
Most of the photographs, both in black-and-white and colour,
come from the archives of ANSA, which has millions of images
from Italy and all over the world.
The shots immortalize the most important moments in Marche's
history, including some particularly painful ones, such as the
2016 earthquake and the coronavirus emergency.
Others portray the region's great economic resources - research,
employment and infrastructure - its riches in terms of natural
beauty and artistic and cultural excellence, and the intense
activities of the regional government and council to raise the
awareness of young people about the institutions and bring them
closer.
The exhibition is structured around 21 'totems' and some
particularly significant subjects, such as the Marche Region's
'foreign policy' since the end of the 19080s: the first mission
to China, the launch of the Mid-Adriatic Community of Regions in
1990 to create a common working area, the tensions in the former
Yugoslavia and war in the Balkans, with Marche, and Ancona in
particular, on the front line as the base for the humanitarian
airlift operation of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees and aid for injured while Sarajevo was under siege, up
until the creation of the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion.
It is possible to 'see again' the first sessions of the region's
legislative assembly and its governors, visits by popes and
Italian presidents and the first few months of 2020 with the
COVID-19 emergency.
"The role of the region evolved over the years, up until it
became a concrete part of citizens' lives," said
Mastrovincenzo.
"Just think of the management of earthquakes and natural,
humanitarian and health emergencies.
"Retracing the path taken over the last 50 years is a source of
pride, but also a stimulus to take on the challenges of the
future".
Fossati recalled the close relationship between ANSA, which is
celebrating its 75th anniversary, and Marche.
ANSA has had one of its 22 regional offices in Marche since
1985.
"With these images, ANSA is helping the region tell the story of
what happened in its first 50 years of history," he said.
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