Images, faces and voices to narrate the beauty of family hospitality. And to tell the experiences of those who live the theme every day, without denying the difficulties of the journey.
This is the goal of photographic exposure “The Art of Welcoming. Stories of foster care, adoption and hope”open to the public until November 16th Natural History Museum of Milan (Corso Venezia 55).
The exhibition is part of the first “Biennial of hospitality” (promoted by the Forum of Family Associations) and will accompany a double day of discussion on 3 and 4 November again in Milan. In fact, both political and ecclesiastical institutions will be protagonists at Palazzo Lombardia around 200 young people called to dialogue with peers who have experienced foster care and adoption.
The exhibition space was designed with the aim of producing meeting moments for families, children, operators and citizens. Everyone is invited to discover up close the profound value of foster care and adoption.
Specifically, the exhibition is developed through around thirty photographic panels, selected by the 6 participating associations: Pope John XXIII Community Association, Cometa Association, Ets New Families Action, Fraternity Association, Friends of Ets Children, Families for Reception.
The artistic space was inaugurated last night, in the presence of the main subjects who contributed to its creation.
«Birth and reception are sides of the same coin, said Pope Francis. The topic of adoptions is already natural for many families and we hope it will become increasingly so. I believe that beautiful things should always be told and shown. And in some cases the visual story is fundamental”, he underlined Adriano BordignonPresident of the Forum of Family Associations. The images, which also include some drawings made by children linked to the associations, all aim to testify how every child’s right to grow up in a family is realized in everyday life through a journey made of emotion, commitment and love.
Few words but full of satisfaction those of Cristina Riccardi, vice-president of the Forum of Family Associations and main curator of the exhibition: «We finally see the fruit of the hard work done before us. I thank all the people who understood and accepted the need for this project.”
Among the supporters there is Cariplo Foundation, who spoke at the inauguration in the form of the vice president Valeria Negrini: «For us, hospitality contrasts with solitude. The concept of hospitality can be interpreted very broadly. We believe that this topic can also educate adults. We try to put the eyes of the little ones at the center and to promote a culture of childhood where children’s rights are preserved.”
After the Milan stop, the exhibition will reach at least 18 other Italian cities, thanks to the collaboration with the Regional Forums of Family Associations, to continue to spread the culture of hospitality throughout Italy. «Milan hosts the first experience of the project with great honor. This is a challenge for our city. The Natural History Museum is a very popular place for children. I therefore hope that families will find the opportunity to visit the exhibition. This project combines thoughts and reflections together with real life images. We are faced with an installation that allows us to look to the future with hope.” Roberta OsculatiCouncilor of the Municipality of Milan.
