The photographic exhibition ‘La Settimana Cesenate: photo story of a forty-four year long event’, curated by the Zangheri Photographic Archive of Cesena and the Radici della Sinistra Foundation, turns the page. From Saturday – after the 20 days (from 13 April to 10 May) in which the images relating to history, politics, the world of school and work were exhibited – the exhibition will focus on customary events, sport and to great guests. The Settimana Cesenate, or “the Exhibition” as it was called by the people of Cesena, was not only an important container of economic activities with the related productions, but also an area for cultural promotions, representation of changes in customs and meetings of the people. For many years it was the greatest event of popular participation and characterizing city life.
The event began in 1933 with the aim of promoting the local economy after the serious crisis of 1929, but above all it was a moment of strong propaganda characterization of the fascist regime. It was suspended in 1939 with the start of the world war. The resumption of the ‘Settimana’ took place in 1949. In 1982, from the traditional sites of the fair in Viale Carducci it moved, with little luck, to the recovered pavilions of the former Arrigoni. The last edition was held in 1985. The municipal administration and the Chamber of Commerce had established Macfrut in 1983. The inauguration (Saturday at 5.30 pm at the Malatestiana Library) of this section of the photographic exhibition will be accompanied by the presentation of a book which offers two writings, one by Elide Giordani and the other by Piero Pieri, both direct witnesses of some phases of the Cesena sample collection. The booklet, which will be on sale and available to the public (Società Editrice Il Ponte Vecchio), retraces the liveliest years of the Cesenate Week through the experience of the two authors. Piero Pieri, a prolific and highly successful writer, experienced the event through the work of his father Alieto, manager of the famous singers who willingly performed in the space dedicated to music, dance and attractions. Elide Giordani, journalist, encountered the most glorious, but already close to decline, phase of the event for which she took care of the press office in its latest editions. This last part of the images relating to the Cesenate Week will remain on display until June 15th.
