(ANS – Lima) – In the early days of the month of July, the Salesians in Peru organized an exhibition of paintings by the Italian artist Giuseppe Cassioli in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima. The works of art had been restored by boys of the “Artesanos de Don Bosco” from the “Operación Mato Grosso”. 

Present at the inauguration were Doctor Luis Alberto Peirano Falconí, Minister for Culture, a representative from the Italian Embassy, and Doctor Stefano Cerrato, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Lima, together with members of the Salesian Family and many art-lovers.

During the ceremony, which is available on video, Fr Santo Dal Ben Lava, Provincial in Peru, said that “art knocks down walls and builds bridges. It draws us closer to God , to Mary and to our brothers and sisters with sentiments of love and acceptance.”

Later there was a talk given by Fr Ugo de Censi, Salesian missionary and founder of the “Operación Mato Grosso”. Referring to Mary, and to the young people who had restored the paintings that were done in 1928, he said: “I would like you to see how this Mother has children who are very poor, simple, intelligent and artistic. This is the Mother who made these artists.”

The ceremony ended with a concert of classical music given by the Choir of the Catholic Pontifical University of Peru.

Photographs of the inauguration ceremony of the exhibition and of the windows of the Basilica are available on the Facebook page of the Salesians of Peru.

Published 16/07/2013