In June 2011, two events took place to celebrate the
130th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute for the Blind
Francesco Cavazza of Bologna and the 90th anniversary of the foundation of
the National Federation of Institutions for the Blind.
From
June 21st to the 25th, the sculpture entitled "Christ Revealed" by
blind sculptor Felice Tagliaferri was exhibited at the Institute, while on
June 24th and 25th took place the celebrations.
On Friday the
24th, the guests at the Federation's assembly visited the Institution's
installations and services learning about the numerous initiatives and
activities that the Institute is able to develop thanks to the
collaboration and contributions of so many: the family support service for
the integration of blind and visually impaired children and youth from the
Emilia-Romagna Region; the low vision centre; the optical aids centre, and
training and information activities available to the Institute's users;
Anteros, the tactile museum of ancient and modern art; CISAD, the
experimental centre of educational tools; the research and experimental
technology centre.
On the occasion of the Federation's assembly, National
President Rodolfo Masto, besides commemorating the anniversary of the
Federation, awarded with a medal ex-President Professor Silvestro
Banchetti who was at the head of the Federation during 10 years in
the 90s. The reward was an opportunity for Professor Banchetti to recall
that he graduated from the University of Bologna and that he was once a
student of the Istituto Cavazza. It also must be said that Professor
Banchetti taught in special education at the University of Bologna.
For many years, he also was a voice within the Italian
Blind Union and the National Federation of Institutions for the Blind on
the limits and gaps of the process of full integration of people living
with vision loss in schools and in society.
In the evening of the 24th,
hosts, partners of the Institute, staff and representatives of the
National Federation of Institutions for the Blind all reunited in a
ceremonial dinner organized by the Institute, thanks to the availability
and support of Count Gualtiero Cavazza Isolani. The event took place in
the Rocca di Minerbio owned by the Cavazza Isolani family where it was
also possible to visit the frescoes of paintor Amico Aspertini. The guests
of the evening and the members of the Board of Directors of the Istituto
Cavazza wish to express their most sincere gratitude to the
representatives of the Cavazza Isolani family who actively worked with us
to organize the evening and the broader initiative.
Finally, on
Saturday, June 25th, in the great hall of the Department of Education
of the University of Bologna, took place a public meeting for the official
celebration of the anniversaries as part of the course given by Professor
Andrea Canevaro and entitled Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired:
From the Past to the Future. On that occasion, Istituto Cavazza's Director
Mario Barbuto pronounced the opening and closing remarks. Other speakers
were present as well: Matteo Lepore, representing the Mayor of Bologna
Virginio Merola, the President the Istituto Cavazza Pier Michele Borra,
the President of the National Federation of Institutions for the Blind
Rodolfo Masto, and the National President of the Italian Blind Union
Tommaso Daniele, to commemorate the anniversaries but also to present the
strategies and initiatives the Istituto Cavazza relating to 
