CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER
P. COSTANTINO'S MISSION IN AFRICA
pavia, church Santi Giacomo e Filippo - saturday 26 november 2022, 9.00/13.30
La Brother Sun Foundation at 15th Year of Ascension to Heaven of its Founder, Father Costantino Ruggeri, organises a conference open to technicians, experts and friends on the topic 'Culture of encounter'as expressed in theEncyclical of Pope Francis, 'Brothers all'.
The word 'culture' indicates something that has penetrated into the people, into their deepest convictions and way of life. If we speak of a 'culture' in the people, it is more than an idea or an abstraction. It encompasses the desires, enthusiasm and ultimately a way of life that characterises that human group. So, to speak of a 'culture of encounter' means that, as a people, we are passionate about wanting to meet, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning something that involves everyone. This has become an aspiration and a way of life. The subject of such a culture is the people, not a sector of society that aims to keep the rest at peace by professional and media means. (FT, para. 216)
The subject was addressed by Father Costantino Ruggeri from the end of the 1970s and throughout the decade of the 1980s in the Franciscan mission of the Burundiwhere he was called upon to build, with architect. Luigi Leoni, three religious and social complexes.
The time spent in Africa was an opportunity to meet a people and one culture which turned out to be rich in extraordinary human valuescelebrating the beauty of the community. From this experience, Father Costantino drew a commitment not to transfer pre-packaged models, foreign to local culture and traditions, and to create spaces with the face and heart of the land in which he was commissioned to design.
He hoped that the contribution made would give rise to new shapes and volumes inspired by the dwellings and ways of life of the Barundi.
Prophetically, he dreamed that on the same continent could be born who, like the winner of the Pritzker Prize 2022 Diébédo Francis Kéréinterpreting the authentic aspirations of the African population, created spaces designed with the sensitivity of the local community in mind.
L'intense cultural exchange allowed Father Constantine to bring with him into his artistic and human life the sensitivity he had developed during his experience in Burundi: it was enough to enter his studio to enjoy the dozens of masks, sculptures and African handicrafts that enlivened the memory of the communities he met.
The Conference 'Culture of encounter - Fr. Constantine's mission in Africa".sponsored by the Municipality of Pavia and ICOMOS PRERICO (Places of Religion and Ritual), will take place Saturday 26 November 2022 from 9:00 to 13:30 in Paviaat the Church of St James and St Philip in Via Luigi Porta.
Speakers will be:
- Luigi Leoni, President of the Brother Sun Foundation;
- Msgr. Luca Bressan, Episcopal Vicar for Culture of the Diocese of Milan;
- Maria Antonietta Crippa, lecturer Politecnico di Milano;
- Fr Roberto Tagliaferri, lecturer at the St Justine Institute of Pastoral Liturgy in Padua;
- Ferdinando Zanzottera, lecturer Politecnico di Milano.
He will moderate Olimpia Niglio, lecturer at the University of Pavia.
At the end of the conference, the Frate Sole Foundation will be pleased to share a convivial moment at theOsteria del Collegioat 8 Via Luigi Porta.