VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican is promoting a campaign to adopt works of art damaged by the recent earthquake in central Italy.
Today the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church announced this initiative to restore artwork damaged by the April 6 earthquake in the Abruzzo region.
The disaster caused damage to the historic city of L’Aquila, near the epicenter of the quake, and to numerous pieces of art.
The commission, headed by Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, announced in a press release that it has taken the responsibility to collect written agreements from those who will «adopt» the restoration of one or more mobile works of art that were damaged by the recent earthquake.
The statement added that this initiative is «in perfect harmony» with the Italian Ministry for Cultural Activities and Heritage.
The art adoption can be done either by providing funding for restoration, or by offering professional skills for this goal.
The commission is extending the invitation to financial institutions, museums, public and private restoration workshops, and professionals with training in restoration, to make a «free and spontaneous» commitment to the campaign.
Sponsors are invited to send a written confirmation with an explanation of qualifications, to express their willingness to «adopt» a work of art.
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For more information, send an email with the subject line "da chiodo a chiodo» to: beniculturali@beniculturali.va
