(ANS – Rome) – On the occasion of International Museum Day 2025, celebrated on May 18 under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, promoted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition, the first-ever Virtual Exhibition of Salesian Missionary Museums was launched.
This unique initiative was coordinated by Dr. Nataly Orbe, from the “Abya Yala” Museum in Ecuador, in collaboration with the Salesian Polytechnic University (Quito campus), and members of the Salesian Museums Advisory Team. It brought together Salesian museums from Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the vast Salesian missionary, spiritual, and cultural heritage preserved in museums around the world.
The event was hosted by Benjamín Mena from the Abya Yala Museum. Opening remarks were given by:
– Fr. Jorge Crisafulli, General Councillor for the Missions
– Marco Fulgaro, from the Missions Sector
– Dr. María Sol Villagómez, Vice-Rector of the Salesian Polytechnic University in Quito
Also present were representatives from ICOM Ecuador and Fr. Marcel Farfán, Provincial of the Salesians in Ecuador.
Each participating museum was then introduced by its director or representative, including:
– Casa-Museo Mamma Margherita in Capriglio, Asti (Italy) – presented by Dr. Diego Occhiena
– Regional Salesian Museum of Rawson, Chubut (Argentina) – Dr. Cintia Navas
– Misiones Salesianas Museum in Madrid (Spain) – Dr. Mariano García Borreguero
– Abya Yala UPS Museum in Quito (Ecuador) – Dr. Nataly Orbe Ortiz
– Ambrosio Olmos Interpretation Space in Río Cuarto, Córdoba (Argentina) – Mr. Agustín Borzi, SDB
– Museo Casa Don Bosco in Valdocco, Turin (Italy) – Dr. Ana Martín García
– Salesian Museum Padre Carmelo Sciullo in Formosa (Argentina) – Dr. Rafael Núñez
– Salesian Museum Monsignor Fagnano in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) – Dr. Carlos Fernando Martinic
– Missionary Museum of Colle Don Bosco (Italy) – Dr. Letizia Pecetto
– Salesian Work Museum of São Paulo (Brazil) – Dr. Marcos de Lima Moreira
– Salesian Museum Maggiorino Borgatello in Punta Arenas (Chile) – Dr. Patricio Álvarez
– Don Bosco Museum of Cultures in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) – Dr. Dirceu Mauricio Van Lonkhuijzen
This virtual exhibition was a groundbreaking event that celebrated the cultural and spiritual richness preserved in Salesian museums. It also served to strengthen ties between communities and highlight the historical memory of the Salesian mission in service to youth and the most vulnerable.
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