This morning the chandeliers survived to the earthquake arrived to Murano, escorted by the fire brigade of Ferrara , and the local Carabinieri, who have controlled and have taken care of this most precious transport.
Early in the morning the four chandeliers left Ferrara, and arrived at 10 o’clock in Venice, to be transported by boat to Murano, the island of glass, where they have been welcomed by dozen of curious and amazed tourists.
Thus the project Una Luce per l’Emilia Romagna (a light for Emilia Romagna) have begun with a very exciting day. The project in itself is about the restoration of the four precious chandeliers which used to be kept in the town hall of Sant’Agostino (FE), destroyed after the May 2012 earthquake.
The four chandeliers arrived in Murano are going to be restored, without any cost by a team glass specialists in the field of lightning and mirrors, beloging to Consorzio Promovetro’s associated companies. Promovetro is the managing authority of the Vetro Artistico® Murano trademark.
Among them the biggest one is the a 400 kg, 5 mt. high, 4 floors chandelier, in crystal gold and amber, with a diameter of 3 mt.
In the 1920’s, these chandeliers were brought to the Sant’Agostino’s Town hall by Italo Balbo, where they have remained until May 2012.
The four chandeliers are kept in 32 boxes.
The team of experts is now going to study a proper way to restore the chandeliers, together with the Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali and the Soprintentenza per i beni artistici, storici ed etnoantropologici di Ferrara Forlì/Cesena, Ravenna e Rimini. Each piece will have to be restored or substituted.
Firstly the glass parts will have to be analysed, then the internal metal structures will have to be controlled, the missing parts will have to be categorised and then replaced, together with a new electric plant.
It is a great joy for us to use our professionalisms to help the population of Emilia Romagna, who has suffered so much, says Mr. Luciano Gambaro, President of Consorzio Promovetro.
These chandeliers have become a symbol to them, because they have survived in spite of their fragility to the earthquake.
Consorzio Promovetro Murano and the Vetro Artistico® Murano trademark with this solidarity action, are spreading a one thousand years old tradition and culture; together with our friends of Emilia Romagna, we are putting the basis for hope and rebirth.