During the University of Trieste's 100th Anniversary, art has become a tool of celebration and dialogue thanks to two unprecedented initiatives. ‘Shine Bright Like a Diamond’ focused on artist residencies and involved all departments, creating a new relationship between artists, lecturers and students. The ‘Relazioni d’arte’ project, on the other hand, embellished libraries, classrooms and workshops with the works of local and international artists. 

The two events inspired the ten UniTS heads of department to tangibly mark their institutional activity by approving the purchase and donation of a work by Serse Roma. The canvas, which is part of the 'Diamanti' series exhibited as part of the first phase of ‘Relazioni d’arte’, was officially handed over on 22nd October during a meeting in the Cammarata Hall, attended by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. 

This gesture represents not only an acknowledgement of the University, but also a significant contribution to the enhancement of the University of Trieste's artistic heritage. The work ‘Diamante’ thus becomes a lasting symbol of the connection between high quality art, science and education, enriching the University’s cultural heritage for future generations.

The first public meeting last Monday 21st October saw the start of the project ‘1954: Trieste after America. Between a call for tradition and a push for innovation’ of which the Arts and Culture Circle of Trieste (CCA) is the leader. The University of Trieste, linked to the CCA by a three-year framework agreement, will share in the dissemination and promotion of events of recognised educational value, collaborate in the organisation of a round table and participate in the work with expert speakers on various historical-humanistic topics.

The project as a whole promotes and celebrates the 70th anniversary of the reunification of Trieste with Italy, with the aim of retracing and reminding the local community, and above all the new generations, of the complex events and some salient features of that troubled and, at the same time, stimulating period. The proposed scenario will be tackled with an approach that is as objective, multidisciplinary and far removed from ideologies as possible.

The initiative as a whole comprises two lines of action: a set of events with a strong popular impact, concentrated in the proximity of the fateful date of the anniversary (26th October); a series of more in-depth seminars, aimed at consolidating the knowledge of historical facts and maximising the assimilation of the project's cultural message. The latter section will continue until mid-2025.

The next events include the photographic-educational exhibition ‘Trieste USA 1945 - 1954’, which will be inaugurated on 28th October at 11:00 on the premises of the Arts and Culture Circle of Trieste. The exhibition, first proposed by the Associazione Italo Americana FVG / American Corner Trieste in 2014, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Trieste's return to Italy, features a wide range of shots depicting everyday scenes and significant events such as weddings and crucial political moments, including the visits of John F. Kennedy and Clare Boothe Luce. The exhibition culminates with some iconic images, such as the famous kiss by Trieste photographer Ugo Borsatti and the photographs that made history in a packed Piazza Unità on 26th October 1954. 

The open day will be held in Piazzale Europa from 16th to 18th October

A total of 13,020 prospective students have registered to attend open days for first-level courses (bachelor's and integrated master's degree courses) at UniTS – the highest number ever recorded!

The three-day open day will bring students from all over the region as well as from Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Apulia and Campania to Piazzale Europa. Attendees are also expected from Slovenia and Croatia.

‘The enormous interest aroused by Porte Aperte 2024 is a testament to UniTS's commitment to constantly renewing its educational offerings and student services,’ emphasises Lucio Torelli, Deputy Rector for Educational Counselling. ‘During the three-day event, students will receive all the information they need to enrol and get the most out of their university experience from lecturers, young tutors and the Unit for Prospective Student Support.’

Between presentations, prospective students can also take a guided tour of the Central Campus in Piazzale Europa.

In addition to presentations on individual courses, there will also be a classroom dedicated to presentations from the International Mobility Office on Erasmus, the Career Service on job orientation, the UniTS Disability and DSA Service, ARDiS - Regional Agency for the Right to Study on scholarships and accommodation, the University Sports Centre (CUS) -, and the ‘Luciano Fonda’ University College of Merit. Information desks will also provide details about all these important aspects of university life without the need for appointment.

The project ‘Stelutis Alpinis. The Cosmos from the mountains of Carnia’, named after the Friulan word for the alpine star-shaped flower Edelweiss, is nearing its conclusion. The initiative has been promoted by the University of Trieste to bring public engagement in science together with the enhancement of the mountainous region. Until 19th October, the initiative will offer activities for schools and a public conference at the observatory in Zuglio (Udine), bringing the project’s rich programme of events and achievements to a close.

The project has actively involved the local community and engaged a number of participants, demonstrating how science can contribute to revitalising an area, both culturally and in terms of tourism. Coupled with the ‘Celestial Lights/Terrestrial Roots’ festival, it has offered a varied programme, with art installations, shows and specially designed stargazing routes, enriching the visitors' experience.

During the week of 14th to 18th October, local schools will be the focus of activities. Classes IV and V of the ‘Linussio – Matiz’ Comprehensive Institute of Arta Terme and Paluzza will take part in the creation of an ‘Almanac of the New Poetic Astrophysical School’, under the guidance of artists from the L'Amalgama Collective, with a special contribution from the poet Bruno Tognolini.

The project will culminate on Saturday 19th October with a lecture by the professor of astrophysics at the University of Trieste and scientific lead of the project, Prof. Alexandro Saro, followed by an observational astronomy event which is open to the public.

‘Stelutis Alpinis’ was realised thanks to the support of the University of Trieste, with the Physics Department as lead partner, within the framework of the call for public and social engagement.

The paper ‘The potential of histories as a form of counter-accounting’, published in 2023, has won the prestigious ‘Best 2023 International Scientific Paper’ award by the Italian Society of Professors of Accounting and Business Economics (Società Italiana dei Docenti di Ragioneria e di Economia Aziendale – SIDREA). It was written by Eleonora Masiero, Lecturer and Researcher in Business Economics at UniTS, and Riccardo Stacchezzini and Alessandro Lai, Full Professors at the University of Verona.

This study explores the unconventional accounting activity carried out by the director and accountant of a late 19th-century children's home. The activity challenged dominant discourses and highlighted their weaknesses. The study thus contributes to critical accounting research by revealing the potential of genealogical enquiry as an alternative and meaningful tool for analysing and questioning prevailing assumptions, shedding light on the historical and discursive foundations of controversial issues.

Read the full paper 

Only a few days until the #100UniTS Corsa dei Castelli! The race is scheduled for Sunday 20 October along the beautiful route linking the Miramare Castle and San Giusto Castle.

As announced at the Municipality of Trieste, this year’s running event is dedicated to the UniTS Centenary. Over 2000 runners are set to participate including more than 800 students, teaching staff and administrative technicians from the University.

Organised by Asd Promorun, the event is designed not only for running enthusiasts but also for those who want to enjoy the extraordinary route by taking part in the ‘Non-competitive Ten’ and the ‘8 km Family Run’.

Participants come from all over the world: Albania, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, France, Ghana, Ireland, Israel, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and the USA.

As many as 45% of the participants are women.

Registration for the non-competitive races is still open:

Thursday 10 October, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Registration Point in Piazza della Borsa

Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Registration Point in Piazza della Borsa

Sunday 13 October, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Registration Point in Piazza della Borsa

From Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 October, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Registration Point in Piazza Unità d'Italia

Registration for the #100 UniTS Corsa dei Castelli is still open from Friday 18 to Saturday 19 October, from 10am to 7pm at the Registration Point in Piazza Unità d'Italia.

On the 19th and 20th October 2024 the University of Trieste will open the Rectorate Art Gallery's doors on the occasion of the 13th edition of the FAI Autumn Days, an event promoted by the National Trust for Italy (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano - FAI). The visits, available only by reservation, will be in three sessions, at 11:00, at 12:00 and at 16:00, offering the public the opportunity to explore a hidden art treasure.

Through a route winding between the two foyers, the Cammarata Hall, the Rectiorate’s corridor and the Bachelet Hall, visitors will be able to discover the Pinacoteca's rich collection. The works, acquired following the Esposizione Nazionale di Pittura Italiana Contemporanea (National Exhibition of Contemporary Italian Painting), held in the University's Main Hall in December 1953, reflect the various Italian art movements of the post-war period, with paintings by artists such as Giuseppe Santomaso, Afro Basaldella and Nino Perizi. Today, the Pinacoteca houses a total of 37 works, representing an important testimony to the richness and variety of 20th century Italian painting trends.

Info and bookings trieste@faigiovani.fondoambiente.it.

The 10th October marks the 33rd World Mental Health Day, promoted by the World Federation for Mental Health. The theme of the 2024 edition, ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’, highlights the importance of promoting mental wellbeing in professional settings, a priority supported by the scientific community and activists in the field.

People with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities also face reduced life expectancy compared to the general population, often due to issues with their physical health. A study conducted by the Psychiatric Clinic at the University of Trieste and lead by Prof. Umberto Albert, President of the Italian Society of Psychiatry (FVG section), revealed that a significant proportion of patients from Trieste’s Mental Health Centres do not regularly participate in regional cancer screening programmes, risking late diagnosis and serious consequences.

Stigma remains a significant obstacle, limiting access to essential care and negatively affecting its quality. Discrimination and harmful stereotypes within families, schools and workplaces can prevent people from forming healthy relationships, hinder social interaction and block inclusive environments necessary for the well-being of every member of society.

It is crucial that the right to optimal mental health is recognised as a basic human right and that all countries commit to ensuring universal access to mental health services. Additionally, access to better living conditions, safety, food and shelter are necessary for people's mental health and a universal right for all citizens of the world.

The University of Trieste participates in World Mental Health Day by lighting the façade of the Central Building in green, the symbolic colour of good mental health. This initiative is part of a nationwide network of solidarity and awareness-raising that will see the illumination of monuments and important public buildings across Italy, many of them institutional headquarters, thanks to the mobilisation launched throughout the country by the Italian Society of Psychiatry.

On the occasion of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the University of Trieste, four volumes have been published that tell the story of the University and enhance its artistic collections.

Produced by EUT, the University's university press, these texts offer an in-depth historical and archival rediscovery of the University's rich architectural, artistic and documentary heritage.

The volumes, available in digital format and open access on the OpenstarTs Institutional Archive, are

1924-2024 - Un secolo di storia dell’Università degli Studi di Trieste attraverso immagini e documenti (1924-2024 - A Century of History of the University of Trieste through Images and Documents), by Tullia Catalan and Lorenzo Ielen, traces the history of the University through photographs and historical documents.

Download here

Guida alla Pinacoteca dell'Università degli Studi di Trieste (Guide to the Art Gallery of the University of Trieste), by Massimo De Grassi, offers an overview of the works of art preserved at the University.
Download here

L'Edificio Centrale dell'Università di Trieste. Storia e architettura 1938-1950 (The Main Building of the University of Trieste. History and Architecture 1938-1950), curated by Valentina Fernetti, dedicated to the architectural evolution of the University's main building.

Download here

“Ricorda e Splendi”. Catalogo delle opere d’arte dell’Università degli Studi di Trieste (‘Remember and Shine’. A Catalogue of the University of Trieste's Works of Art), by Massimo De Grassi, a comprehensive catalogue of the works of art held by the University.

Download here

The Art Relations project, inaugurated in June 2024 with the exhibitions of Serse and Manuela Sedmach, is completed with the two exhibition points dedicated to the artists Elisa Vladilo and Antonio Sofianopulo set up in two different UniTS locations in the San Giovanni Campus on Via Weiss 6.

The two exhibitions, curated by Lorenzo Michelli, are the final point of a collaboration agreement signed on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the University of Trieste with ERPAC – Friuli Venezia Giulia Cultural Heritage Agency, which has given rise to a series of exhibition initiatives culminating in Art Relations.

Elisa Vladilo has come into contact with the structure of the San Giovanni Theatre, reinterpreting it in its historical, identity and architectural components to offer a contemporary reinterpretation of a positive nature. The installation Funny Reflections finds its place on the facade of the building, in particular in the glass parts of the windows and doors that are reinterpreted thanks to warm block colours.

‘Imagining that these coloured panes of glass could ideally project the light, obviously of the same colour, onto the asphalt in front, we can create a further imaginary game, where skewed rectangles and ovoid circles are created on the ground that precisely reflect what exists on the facade – explains Vladilo herself – All this is part of the usual path of Public Art, in particular of Ambient Painting, that I have been carrying forward for years, where colour relates to space in a dialogue that enhances and reanimates places.’

Antonio Sofianopulo, on the other hand, exhibits an apparently light painting and sarcastic in which elements of the natural appear in extremely complex counterpoints.

The collection of his paintings ‘RiConoscenza’ is exhibited in the Museum of Mineralogy and Petrography of the University of Trieste, in Building O of the San Giovanni Campus.

 ‘The salient features of the narrative poetics of Sofianopulo's paintings are discretion, gentleness, tact, subtlety, readiness, elegance, diplomacy, irony. Implied Irony is an obvious value, since the combinations on the canvases can not only hide a criticism and generate a smile, but invite us to think of a craftsman/carver who carries out his work with an infinite series of small touches in order to make it full of indecipherable details and not recognizable at first glance,’ we read in The ethics of the image by Roberto Vidali.

The four exhibition points inaugurated between June and October have allowed these spaces to be regenerated thanks to the artists who, through their works, have expanded themes and suggestions linked to the university institution.

More info at https://100anni.units.it/index.php/home/relazioni-darte/ 

Art Relations is an initiative organized on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the University of Trieste in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, ERPAC FVG, ARDIS and SMATS – University Museum Services.

Biography Elisa Vladilo

She studied at the Art Institute of Trieste, and at the Academy of Fine Arts, Scenography, in Venice and Milan.

Her work is based on installations and site specifics in public and private spaces, through the use of colour in various modalities.

She has held various exhibitions in Italy and abroad, and has created various permanent and temporary projects in various spaces including public spaces, gardens, schools, streets, squares, and train stations.

She collaborates with various cultural associations and professional studios.

She lived in London for 3 years (1997-2000), where she came into contact with some aspects of Public Art; During that period she also participated in Whitechapel Open in London, and the Billboard Site Project in Belfast.

She won a grant from the Pollock- Krasner Foundation in New York in 1998, and participated in a residency in Berlin as part of a European project (2001).

Echo Surrounding, The Old Port, Trieste (2020), Rhyme of Origin, Cambridge – UK (2014), Melting Street, Pula – Croatia (2013), Melting tower, Villach – Austria (2011), I take the landscape and bring it with me, Nervesa della Battaglia (2010).

Biography Antonio Sofianopulo

Antonio Sofianopulo was born in Trieste in 1955, the city where he lives and works. 
He studied art, but his education mainly took place in the family with his mother Renata, a painter and advertiser, and with his great-uncle Cesare, a symbolist painter and student of von Stuck. He 
began exhibiting in 1977. Among his solo exhibitions, we will remember those held at the ‘M. Merkouri’ in Athens in 1997, in Trieste at the ‘Palazzo Gopcevich’ for the Revoltella museum in 2003, at the Juliet space in Casier, at the Galleria Victor Saavedra in Barcelona in 2006 and at the Franco Toselli gallery in Milan in 2008 and at the Duetart in Varese in 2009, Bocconi University, Milan in 2010, at the Maniero gallery in Rome in 2011, and at the Revoltella Museum in Trieste in 2015, in 2021 at the Duetart in Varese, in 2022 at the Medusa gallery in Koper and in 2023 at the Studio Vigato in Alessandria.

Among the collective exhibitions we will remember in 1993 ‘La montagna Dipinta’ at Castel Tevlana and Raffaelli gallery in Trento, ’Equinozio’ at Rivara Castle in 1994, ‘Va' pensiero…’ at the Promotrice alle Belle Arti in Turin in 1997, ‘Bel tempo’ Ludwig ,museum in Budapest in 1999, ‘Mediterranea’ in Dubrovnik in 2001, ‘Da de Chirico a Leonor Fini’ at the Museo Revoltella in Trieste in 2002, ‘A ruota libera’ in the spaces of the Fiera di Milano in 2004, in 2016 ‘Corrispondenze d'Arte’ at the Revoltella museum in Trieste, in 2017 Sala 1 – Rome, in 2018 ‘Soft Revolution ‘ at the Triennale – Milan/ in 2019 Hotel Aquerello Toselli Museo city Milan.

The main reference galleries in Italy are: Studio Vigato in Alessandria, Toselli in Milan and in Spain the Galeria Saavedra in Barcelona. 
His work appears in Germano Celant's latest book +Spazi. One of his works was featured on the 
Luc Orient music CD ‘La Vie À Grand Vitesse’ from 2012

Among others, the following have written about him: Roberto Vidali, Maria Masau Dan, Valerio Dehò, Vittorio Sgarbi, Alessandra Tiddia, Elena Pontiggia and Franco Toselli, Ivan Quaroni, and Francesca Liotta.

Antonio Sofianopulo was among the founders of the international contemporary art magazine Juliet, and is the curator of the ‘Costantino e Mafalda Pisani’ museum of the Eastern Greek Community of Trieste. His works are found at the Paolo Pini museum in Milan, at the ‘P. Revoltella’ museum in Trieste and in various private collections in Italy and abroad.