Straziuso: “ArtePollino un altro Sud – ArtePollino Another South”, it is not only a slogan, but a persuasion. Pappaterra: ArtePollino is an added value for the Park.

MILAN – Great satisfaction for the ArtePollino Association at the BIT, International Tourism Exchange, one of the largest fair on national and international levels in the tourism sector, which took place between 18-21 February in the pavillons of the Rho-Pero Fair of Milan. The will to make the naturalistic, artistic and monumental beauties of our territory popular, incited Basilicata region and the Apt to take part in this important appointment, of great international interest. Inside the exposition space, in the pavillon 5, stand E 72 and G 77, ArtePollino cultural Association could not miss, with its ambituous project on contemporary art, which brought in the Pollino National Park some internationally known artists as: Anish Kapoor, Carsten Höller and Giuseppe Penone. Three artists who realized installations, attracting numerous visitors and onlookers inside the stand from Lucania, to collect booklets and various material, which are useful to better know this absolutely new event. «ArtePollino project – stated the regional Councillor of the Department of Productive Activities, Enterprise Policy, Technological Innovation Gennaro Straziuso – takes part in a new perspective of development in the South area of Basilicata, with contemporary art installations, the involvement of remarkable artists, who gave their creative touch to the whole Basilicata. “ArtePollino un altro Sud”, it is not only a slogan, but a persuasion. ArtePollino is the synthesis of the connection among nature, traditions and environment and the great attractiveness built by the man. We did it through some of the great masters of art. Basilicata – Straziuso continues – has a potential that is still unexpressed, we need to promote our areas, and we do it through these activities. The presence of the ArtePollino Association at the BIT – Councillor Straziuso concludes – I am convinced it will be useful not only to improve the future activities, but also to arouse the curiosity of those who have not been interested in it until now». During these days at the BIT exposition, the ratings of visitors and interested people' attendance to ArtePollino were high, both from an informative point of view, and also in referring to the bookings to come to visit the works of art of the thermal baths in Latronico, San Severino Lucano and in Sarmento Valley. Further positive impressions were by the Chairman of Pollino National Park, Domenico Pappaterra. «This experience carried out by Basilicata Region – Domenico Pappaterra states – together with our involvement, is having successful results. Pollino, through this innovative form and thanks to the involvement of these world-famous artists, hit the headlines of all the great specialist Italian and foreign reviews, bringing a great prestige to the whole territory. After the first difficulties, caused by the impact of these structures with the sorrounding environment, I think that the Region, the Apt and the President Vito De Filippo in primis, who put all of his soul in the success of the project, bet rightly. The way – Pappaterra ended – in which the Region presented itself together with ArtePollino at the BIT 2010 was an added value that has to be considered no other than a great prestige for Lucania and Pollino». In substance, an important showcase for all those who seriously intend to make tourism at every level.

Claudio Sole.