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31 May 2018

A preview of Illegio

31 May 2018
Anna Maria Ometto

A preview of Illegio

The Carnian village of Illegio has been transforming itself into a jewel of art and beauty for at least fourteen years. Every year an international exhibition attracts leading names and works. In 2018 until October, it will host “Padri e figli” (“Fathers and Sons”, an exhibition organised by the Committee of San Floriano, with the scientific curator in the person of Don Alessio Geretti. There are about 60 works on display from Europe and Italy, from the 4th century BC to the twentieth century, on the theme of a bond that is so decisive in our lives. A reflection on the father we have had, on the role of father that someone is experiencing, on that inner father that we carry within, on he who has taken responsibility for the fate of another with dedication, will go hand in hand with the display of memorable works. The sculptural group of Laocoön, a copy from Bilbao of the work in the Vatican Museums, is the symbol of the exhibition. Some works are in Italy for the first time, on loan from private collections. Until 7 October, we will have an opportunity of some art and reflection in a village that is itself worth a day of a family’s free time. Just a few bends, 5 km before Tolmezzo, lead to another kingdom, suspended in time. The car should be left to continue on foot, through narrow stone-paved alleys, houses rebuilt or consolidated with taste, respecting the tradition of the Carnic villages. Everywhere are attractive views, well-arranged internal courtyards, flowery balconies and glimpses of roofs in several layers of perspective and wall paintings to accompany our steps. We stroll freely among the houses. The path of the watermills is quickly done: there are still two functioning. The Mulin dal Flec dates back to the sixteenth century and stands next to the spring rising in the centre of the village. Everywhere, the presence of water, tidiness, the shades of the dominant green in the vegetation around the village, the greeting of those we meet while taking pictures, everywhere appeared to welcome us. A lady drew near and with a few sentences introduced herself as Regina and told us about the village and her life as an emigrant to Switzerland, about the husband who comes back late from work, her children settled in their lives, and the many changes in her home village. When we next visit, she will offer us coffee, she says, and show us the polished marble floors in her home. Regina is over eighty years old. She invites us to visit the ninth-century Pieve di San Floriano, 750 metres above sea-level on the ridge of Monte Gjaideit. It can be reached only on foot, in about half an hour’s walk. Even the priest, she adds, goes on foot up there every Sunday. Another kind resident suggests looking at the entrances to the homes. Filip's doorway has a face with a ton due showing, Masonic writings, a work that reproduces the wood of the door in stone. Nearby he shows us the face of a Turk. Other stories, from those who take care to guide us and suggest where to go and eat a good dish of the typical smoked Cjarsons ricotta.

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Anna Maria Ometto

Sommelier, food and wine expert. Representative and president of professional associations. Adopted by Friuli Venezia Giulia, where she had a career in teaching, she tries to juggle her family roles and her commitments with regional promotion associations. She lives in the province of Pordenone.

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