(25 March 2016) Not everybody knows that Chile’s independence is partially tied to Italy, thanks to Giuseppe Rondizzoni (Mezzano Superiore, March 14, 1788 – Valparaíso, May 24, 1866), an Italian military who actively contributed to the independence process of Chile and the incorporation of the island of Chiloe in the country. Rondizzoni was – explains Radio Emilia Romagna – a leading figure in the history of Chile, “lent” to the cause of freedom by its original homeland, Parma. And Parma is the Italian city that today still honors Rondizzoni, naming a street after him. Chile, of course, has done more, naming an Avenue in downtown Santiago, a station of the metro line 2 and a fortification in the port of Talcahuano after the Italian fighter. Once again, the Chilean population pays homage to Rondizzoni with an exhibition, promoted by “Achiart” in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Santiago and the Italian Embassy in Chile. The exhibition “Giuseppe Rondizzoni, a hero” will be inaugurated on April 1 at the Alcazar Hall of the Museo Histórico y militar (Calle Blanco Encalada 1550) in Santiago. Open until June 15, the exhibition is a real journey that leads audiences in the discovery of the Italian who participated directly in the struggle for Chilean independence (starting in 1816, when Rondizzoni sailed with the General Jose Miguel Carrera on the Clifton corvette to South America). Despite his popularity and historical importance, little is known of this character. For this reason, Achiart decided to celebrate him by creating a series of works that tell of his affairs in the military and political spheres, thus explaining why the exhibition is made up of sculptures, paintings and engravings. (Red)
