Foreword
Written by Alfredo SantiniThis issue is almost wholly dedicated to Ferrara as “Renaissance city”, a theme which has united a series of ideas and successful projects connected to the Renaissance character of Ferrara: exhibitions, books, conferences and restorations. In this regard, the article by Angelo Andreotti stands out: he covers the return of the Temple of San Cristoforo to the city, an example of how restoration projects can and should be undertaken. The other major event, the Cosmè Tura and Franscesco del Cossa exhibition, is presented by Andrea Buzzoni who has co-ordinated and “invented” the exhibition’s layout. Linked to the exhibition is the interesting article by Laura Graziani Secchieri on the Book of Hours on display at Palazzo dei Diamanti. For reasons of circumstance, the feature on the Adriano Franceschini’s monumental posthumous work is missing. This volume, Presenza ebraica a Ferrara. Testimonianza archivistiche fino al 1492, will be amply discussed in the next issue. The other event which has brought Ferrara to the attention of the global media was the death of Michelangelo Antonioni. Paolo Micalizzi writes about him and his work, in advance of further features which will emerge in future numbers of the magazine. It remains only to highlight the visit from the Head of State Giorgio Napolitano to the Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara. This is discussed abundantly, but it is worth underlining that President Napolitano was offered an advance copy of Gianni Venturi’s book, Ferrara: Un racconto del luce nel tempo. This book recounts Ferrara through both the written word and photographs, and seeks to introduce the magic, the colours, the light of our city. Finally there is a first-hand account by Sergio Lenzi of his journey to Sri Lanka for the inauguration of the hospital building financed by the Foundation in Nilaveli.