The Repubblica book for the 800th anniversary of Federico II was presented

“Ad scientiarum haustum et seminarium doctrinarum”, or “To the source of science and the nursery of knowledge”. A motto familiar to every student, at least since 1224, the year of its foundation. Today it is written in large letters on the frieze of the headquarters, along Corso Umberto.

And it is one of the most intense symbols of the Federico II University of Naples. This is also why it is echoed in the first chapter of the new volume with which Repubblica celebrates the eight hundred years of the university. It will be on newsstands free of charge on Wednesday 5th, for readers who purchase a cup of the newspaper. The presentation was held today, in the Federiciano Congress Center, in via Partenope.

The rector attended Matteo Lorito, with the pro-rector Rita Mastrullo and the deputy mayor Laura Lieto. To moderate the meeting, Ottavio Ragone, responsible for the Neapolitan editorial team of Repubblica and at the helm of the related national editorial series. He is also co-editor of the volume, published by Guida, together with Mastrullo herself, Bianca De Fazio And Arturo De Vivo.

The preface is by the editor of Repubblica Maurizio Molinarithe introduction is co-signed with the deputy director Conchita Sannino. “We are proud to be able to be part of the celebrations for this extraordinary anniversary – says Ragone – Federico II has been a factory of knowledge for eight hundred years, a unique engine for the Italian ruling class, which has innervated the country’s society”. Just think of how the many faculties have trained, among others, three Heads of State (Enrico De Nicola, Giovanni Leone, Giorgio Napolitano), numerous presidents of the Constitutional Court and heads of institutions, in every field.

“The idea for this volume – states the rector Lorito – was born a year ago. It is a very important book for us, which collects the testimonies of great names, who have come to pay homage to our university, in this very important moment. The university celebrates its eight centuries of history, thirty generations of culture. Without forgetting the importance of its being a secular reality: if all the state universities in the world did research back in time, they would arrive in Naples, at Federico’s idea, of creating the first of this type in history”.

A “public” brand that still distinguishes the institute and which aims, among its values, above all at inclusiveness “Just this year – concludes Lorito – we approved for the first time together with our students our taxation system, which extends the zero tax area, from incomes of 26 thousand to 30 thousand euros a year”.

The pages, as mentioned, tell the story of the founder Federico II, and of his Neapolitan “Studium”. It was established with the “Generalis Lictera” of the Swabian emperor, written by his faithful official Pier Delle Vigne and dated 5 June 1224. We report the text in Latin and Italian.

By scanning a QR Code in the chapter, you can also listen to a version performed by Massimiliano Gallo. Then there is the historical essay by Professor Alessandro Barbero, taken from his lectio at the Teatro San Carlo, dedicated to “Stupor Mundi” and included in the Giornate di Dissemination of “F2Cultura” for the 800th anniversary celebrations.

Again, after the institutional greetings of the mayor Gaetano Manfredi and the governor Vincenzo De Luca, the chapters focus on the Federico II Schools; the numerous offices distributed throughout the city and metropolitan area and the administrative organisation. Then there is the Southern High School directed by De Vivo, a focus on museums and botanical gardens (that of Naples and that of Herculaneum). To the voices of the professors are added those of the students, illustrious graduates and some of the prestigious international personalities awarded honorary degrees or called to hold a conference, from Tim Cook of Apple to