(ANS - Turin)- The 27th Turin International Book Fair ended on Monday 12 May. Its theme was Bene in vista(well in view). Guest of honour was the Vatican State and the Libreria Editrice Vaticana. As always, the event was attended by the Salesian publisher ELLEDICI. As part of the exhibition, ELLEDICI organized a press conference in conjunction with the other Salesian publishers LAS and SEI. This was intended to promote publishing and multimedia projects planned for 2015, the year of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.
The press conference, which took place in the ELLEDICI stand, was dedicated to the theme of education and evangelization. This was an important moment for the Congregation in Italy, from the point of view of publishing and spreading good reading matter as Don Bosco wanted.
Although not physically present, the chief guest was the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. With a video message to the participants, he highlighted two approaches that need to characterize the entire promotion of 2015. Firstly, the Bicentenary must not be reduced to triumphalism or self-congratulation, but must serve as a re-launching towards the common goal of the Salesian Family – the care of young people. Secondly, we must return to writing about Don Bosco, even 200 years after his birth, so that throughout the Congregation and the Salesian world, people may still read and study his charism in all its richness for today.
Representing the Congregation was the Councillor for the Mediterranean Region of Europe, Fr Stefano Martoglio. He encouraged and motivated the people involved in planning the Bicentenary, reminding the audience in the hall and those listening on Primaradio that this celebration is not about the past but a boost for the next 100 years of Salesian history.
Representatives of the three publishing houses then spoke.
Fr Sergio Giordani , Doctor Iacomuzzi and Sig. Trucco told of the efforts of the SEI to produce a commemorative book on restructuring carried out in recent years in the churches of Valdocco, St. John the Evangelist in Turin, and the Sacred Heart in Rome, and also an exhibition dedicated to the history of Salesian publishing.
Speaking on behalf of the publisher LAS, Fr Paolo Ripa di Meana described the academic and scientific programming of the Salesian Sources , a heritage which will be of value to those who want to study the figure of Don Bosco.
Fr Alberto Martelli and Doctor Domenico Agasso Jun. listed the publications that ELLEDICI is preparing for 2015. First, there is the new biography of Don Bosco written by three members of the Agasso family - grandfather, father and son - under the direction of Fr Aldo Giraudo. He then spoke about a series of grants designed for oratories and young people; two multimedia products for tablet on the life of Don Bosco, designed for children and young people; a new guide to the Salesian places with inserts, videos, and apps for pilgrims who come to visit the places of Don Bosco and the Shroud; and finally, a book on what Don Bosco has to say to the world today.
These and other products will be released in the coming months. The Italian Salesian publishers are convinced that they are offering a valuable service to those who want to get to know Don Bosco, the saint of youth.
Published 14/05/2014
