About the exhibit
The Laudato Sie exhibition showcases an extraordinary collection of 800-year-old Franciscan manuscripts, including significant works such as the Canticle of Brother Sun, considered among the first poetic texts in Italian vernacular. These manuscripts are exhibited for the first time in Rome at the Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi together with 93 works including manuscripts and books from the ancient collection of the Municipal Library of Assisi. The show is curated by Fra Carlo Bottero and Dr. Paolo Capitanucci.
The exhibition makes extensive use of multimedia, particularly in two immersive environments: one at the beginning of the journey dedicated to the Canticle of the Brother Sun, and another at the end entitled “Cum Tucte le tue creature: plants, animals and humans.” After presenting the development of sciences over the centuries, it reconnects the visitor to the origins, embracing an integral vision of Creation.
Join us in Rome from October 2, 2024 to January 6, 2025
The exhibition is divided into nine sections:
The restoration of some manuscripts exhibited was carried out at the book and paper restoration workshop of the Abbey of Praglia.
Steve Menzies, president of The St. Francis Day Foundation, has led much of the restoration efforts. Stefano Acunto, President of the Italian Academy Foundation, said:
“An exhibition of considerable importance like Laudato sie: Nature and Science, a unique opportunity to present the cultural heritage of Brother Francis, represents the result of the joint work and vision of many highly qualified and competent people. We express our deepest appreciation and our most sincere gratitude to the institutions and professionals who, in Italy and the United States, have made this initiative possible. The St. Francis Day Foundation, led by Steve Menzies and directly encouraged by His Holiness Pope Francis, sponsored the restoration of 38 manuscripts and ancient books from the Library of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, as well as the realization of the exhibition itself. May the work and example of St. Francis and the Franciscans continue to inspire future generations in the centuries to come.”
Credits
Roma Capitale
Mayor
Roberto Gualtieri
Councillor for Culture
Miguel Gotor
Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali
Capitoline Superintendent of Cultural Heritage
Claudio Parisi Presicce
Communication and External Relations
Head: Isabella Toffoletti
Antonio Plescia
Sabrina Scaletta
Sara Valerio
Coordination and Implementation of Programming for Exhibition Activities
Head: Laura Petacco
Fiodor Passeo
Administrative Activities
Paola Amici
Sabrina Putzu
Technical and Scientific Activities
Isabella Colucci
Exhibition Space and Design Projects
Roberta De Marco
Prevention and Protection
Museum and Archaeological Site Security Systems
Head: Fabrizio Nardis
Teresa Oman
Tommaso Magliocchetti
Conservation Interventions and Installation of Plaques and Monuments
Head: Marina De Santis
Nicola Panico
Catalog Coordination and Educational Activities
Head: Valentina Valerio
Fiora Giovino
Museo di Roma
Direction of Civic Museums
Director: Stefania Proietti
Director’s Office
Secretary: Valentina Gnesutta
Coordination and Management of Museum Services in Civic Museums
Manager: Fabio Benedettucci
Alessandra Zampa
Iconographic Office, Storage, and Artwork Movement
Federico De Martino
Marina De Carolis
Mediation and Education
Laura Panarese
Alessandra Cicogna
Historical Photographic Archive, Maintenance
Maurizio Ficari
City of Assisi
Mayor
Stefania Proietti
Councillor for Culture
Veronica Cavallucci
Head of the Library
Francesca Carli
Soprintendenza Archivistica e Bibliografica dell’Umbria
Superintendent
Francesca Valentini
Former Superintendent
Giovanna Giubbini
Emma Bianchi
General Custody of the Sacred Convent
Custodian: P. Marco Moroni, OFMConv
Photographic Archive
Director: Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
Giorgia Menghinella
Historical Archive
Director: Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
Cristina Roccaforte
Library
Director: Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
Stefano Cannelli
Center for Coordination, Management, and Valorization of Cultural Heritage
Cristina Roccaforte
Economato
Head: Mauro Silva
Paola Bossari
Mirela Deda
Museum of the Treasure
Director: P. Thomas Freidel, OFMConv
Communication Office
Director: P. Giulio Cesareo, OFMConv
Technical Office
Head: Sergio Fusetti
Davide Ciarlariello
Honorary Committee
H.E.R. Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
H.E.R. Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino
P. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM
P. Carlos Trovarelli, OFMConv
P. Roberto Genuin, OFMCap
P. Armando Trujillo Cano, TOR
Sr. Frances Marie Duncan, SSSF
Tibor Kauser, OFS
P. Marco Moroni, OFMConv
Roberto Gualtieri
Stefania Proietti
Gianni Letta
Dacia Maraini
Scientific Committee
Stefano Acunto, President of the Italian Academy Foundation, Inc.
P. Luciano Bertazzo, OFMConv, Full Professor of Church History at the Theological Faculty of Triveneto and Director of the Centro Studi Antoniani in Padua
Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv, Director of the Library of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi and of the Ancient Collection of the Municipal Library of Assisi
Stefano Brufani, Full Professor of Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature at the University of Perugia and President of the International Society of Franciscan Studies in Assisi
Paolo Capitanucci, Full Professor of Philosophy at the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences in Assisi
Exhibition Curators
Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
Paolo Capitanucci
St. Francis Day Foundation, Inc.
Main Sponsor
Steve Menzies
Organizational Secretariat
Stefania Lillocci
Organizational Committee
St. Francis Day Foundation
Stefania Lillocci
Italian Academy Foundation, Inc.
Stefano Acunto
Claudia Palmira
Yousef Safiran
Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi
Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
Cristina Roccaforte
Cultural Association AntiquaE’
Flavia de Sanctis
Antonella Villa
Exhibition Design
1AX Associated Architects
Luca Piccirillo
Antonello Piccirillo
Eleonora Casinelli
Graphic Design and Coordinated Image
Rome Design Agency
Claudia Palmira
Exhibition Setup and Installation
EXIBIZ
Gian Marco Guidobaldi
Multimedia Installation and Lighting Design
CAPWARE
Marco Capasso
Manuscript Restoration
Laboratory of Praglia Abbey
Head: Alberto Benato
Press Office
Head: Giulia Pigliucci
P. Giulio Cesareo, OFMConv
Transportation of Works
Montenovi S.r.l.
Catalogue
Edited by: Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv, Paolo Capitanucci
Editorial Coordination
Stefania Lillocci
Cristina Roccaforte
Francesca Silvestri
Authors of Essays and Sections
P. Luciano Bertazzo, OFMConv
Fra Carlo Bottero, OFMConv
P. Giuseppe Buffon, OFM
Paolo Capitanucci
Carlo Delcorno
Flavia Marcacci
Alfonso Marini
Luca Parisoli
Roberto Rusconi
Apparatus Authors
Maria Paola Barlozzini
Francesca Grauso
Photography
Pierfrancesco Giordano
Sacred Convent Photographic Archive
Bibliographic Research Support
Agnese Contadini
Tiziana Nandesi
Francesca Silvestri
Publisher
ELECTA
Editorial Manager
Marco Vianello
Editorial Coordination
Cinzia Morisco
Editorial Staff
Emanuela Di Lallo
Graphic Design and Layout
Andrea Lancellotti