The big day has arrived, and it starts out with a luncheon given by Claudio Rotanzi, the man in the middle of this photo, and attended by his friends, including Ester on his right and Fausto Rotanzi, the President of the Patriziato of Peccia, on his left. Both of these men supported the translation of my book Miners, Milkers & Merchants into the Italian Minatori, Mungitori & Mercanti.
After the lunch, we attend a presentation at the International Center for Sculpture in Peccia, where we see the beautiful new facility, used both as an exhibition hall and a community center, and the nearby school of sculpture.
The Center offers 3- and 6-month residencies to sculptors who come from around the world to create in a site surrounded by mountains of granite and marble.
I am particularly impressed by this very large piece, destined to be hung at a site in Poland. The artist is still working out how the very heavy piece will be hung. It is exceptionally beautiful, at least eight feet tall and, of course, very heavy.
The Center is also showing an exhibition related to energy.
The nearby school is private and offers classes related to sculpture, in all types of materials.
The students have the opportunity to learn in an environment surrounded by natural beauty.
Finally the presentation of my book begins. The crowd is standing room only.
I have been practicing my speech (in Italian!) for what seems like forever, and I am glad that I did. It went very well.
Here I am sitting next to Giorgio Cheda, expert on Ticinese emigration and author of the book that contains the letters I found written by the Rotanzi brothers to their father.
I have quite a time signing books, especially challenging in Italian.
The presentation is followed by an aperitivo event at a local restaurant. I spend so much time talking and signing books, I do not have a bite to eat, but I do manage to find a glass of wine.
I am very taken by the entire event and so pleased with the positive reception to my book by the people of the Vallemaggia.
Now I can catch my breath. I am on to Locarno and then to take the Centovalli express train to Domodossola.