The Toscolano Study Center, under the guidance of Giovanna Visintini and with the support of the Department of Culture of Salò, aims to bring the figure of Giuseppe Zanardelli back into the spotlight. This important statesman has left tangible marks of his presence on Lake Garda, such as the Zanardelli lakeside promenade, a square dedicated to him, and a monument depicting him in a lawyer’s robe. Despite being described as “a great Italian” by the “Times” at the time of his death in his house in Maderno, he is now almost forgotten.
Zanardelli is known for his epoch-making reforms as Minister of Justice and Prime Minister. His vision of a liberal and secular government was widely supported by the entrepreneurs of Brescia and the Garda community of his time. However, the historical importance of his actions seems to have slipped into oblivion.
A cultural initiative to remember Zanardelli
To rediscover the works and legacy of this great man from Brescia, the Toscolano Study Center has organized a roundtable discussion titled “The lights and colors of the lake in Salò in memory of Giuseppe Zanardelli.” The event will take place on Saturday, June 15th at 5:30 pm at the Palazzo della Cultura in Salò (Via M. Leonesio 4).
Event program
The meeting will be introduced by Elena Ledda, former president of the Ateneo of Salò, while Giovanna Visintini will chair and coordinate the event as Professor Emeritus of the University of Genoa and President of the Toscolano Study Center.
Among the speakers will be:
– Alessandro Bertoli, lawyer of the Brescia Bar Association and writer, who will discuss “Zanardelli and the Germans Ottomar Piltz, Franz Lenbach, and Bernhard von Bulow: The messenger of Garda,” also exploring the portrait of Duse and diplomatic attempts to maintain peace in Europe.
– Daniele Montanari, professor at the Catholic University of Brescia, who will offer reflections on the Zanardelli family.
– Luciano Faverzani, director of the Brescia Committee of the Institute for the History of the Risorgimento, who will examine “Giuseppe Zanardelli and Brescia: an uninterrupted relationship.”
This initiative aims not only to celebrate Giuseppe Zanardelli but also to stimulate a broader reflection on the historical contribution of local figures to Italian history.
Italian Version
