The opening ceremony of the birthplace of Ignazio Silone in via delle Botteghe was held on the 10th of September 2020, following important restoration works made possible through the contribution of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro – Internazionale and the Comune di Pescina. Having obtained all the permits to commence the comprehensive renovation plan, in spite of the health emergency lockdown and the measures adopted to control Covid-19, the restoration works were completed on the 12th of August. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor Stefano Iulianella and the Chairman of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro - Internazionale, Professor Emmanuele F. M. Emanuele, accompanied by the General Director Professor Alessandra Taccone.

The ceremony was attended by the Mayor Stefano Iulianella and the Chairman of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro - Internazionale, Professor Emmanuele F. M. Emanuele, accompanied by the General Director Professor Alessandra Taccone.

Professor Emmanuele F. M. Emanuele, Chairman of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro – Internazionale that supports the restoration, declared, “A project which I hold dear and consider a moral duty to the city’s most eminent intellectual, Ignazio Silone, and Pescina where a Museum dedicated to him is housed, has finally come to a successful conclusion. In 1956 Ignazio Silone together with Nicola Chiaramonte founded the journal Tempo Presente of which, in order to immortalise the memory of a man of such worth, I am currently the President of the Board and co-owner with Professor Angelo Sabatini, a prominent figure of the culture of Abruzzo, The restoration, which I strongly advocated, also proves my gratitude to the city and the Mayor Stefanto Iulianella, to whom I owe the privilege of being an honorary citizen.”

The Mayor of Pescina Stefanto Iulianella commented, “The refurbishment of the birthplace of the author Ignazio Silone is not just the architectural restoration of a building located in our wonderful historical centre, it is also an important part of the history and the cultural identity that characterizes our city. At last, Ignazio Silone returns to the house where he was born, spent his childhood and suffered the destruction and separation from his loved ones due to the 1915 earthquake. This was made possible through the generosity of the author’s heirs who donated the now restored property to the Comune di Pescina, the far-sightedness and sensitivity of Professor Emmanuele F. M. Emanuele, Chairman of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro - Internazionale and our fellow honorary citizen who, as well as perpetuating the philosophy of Silone through the historical journal Tempo Presente, supported the restoration and, finally the attention of the Regione Abruzzo, which invested in recovering the history of our city through the funding connected to the Masterplan Patto per il Sud.”

The opening ceremony was followed by a Narrative in Music titled ‘“Il perdono nutre il mondo – Silone, Dante e la Perdonanza di Celestino V” by Angelo De Nicola, accompanied by the accordion played by Lorenzo Scolletta with Sara Cecala at the piano.