From ViterboNews24.it, 2 August 2019
http://www.viterbonews24.it/news/sui-passi-dei-pellegrini_97023.htm
The ceramic ”footprints” on which travellers will leave a record of their passage through the city of the popes are born from the hands of artist Cinzia Chiulli.
by Massimiliano Vismara
VITERBO – In the footsteps of pilgrims. The ceramic ”footprints” on which pilgrims will leave an eternal record of their passage through the city of the popes are born from the hands of the ceramic artist Cinzia Chiulli. Last evening, in Cinzia Chiulli’s shop on Via San Pellegrino, a ceremony was held for the signing of the first pilgrims, and among these, on the first piece of what is hoped will be a long series, were also the signatures of some distinguished figures.
Indeed, for the occasion, Mayor Giovanni Arena, the councillor for culture Marco de Carolis and the councillor for economic development Alessia Mancini also came to put an ”autograph” on the first footprint. ”My compliments to Mrs Chiulli for this beautiful idea – the mayor began – we must keep finding new ways to highlight our wonderful city and its thousand-year history.”
Then, naturally, the floor passed to the host, who explained to those present the special features of her creation, from the shape to the colour of the mineral pigment used for the signatures, deliberately grey to recall the tone of the peperino stone Viterbo is built from. ”I created these tablets because I want pilgrims to leave an indelible mark of their visit to this beautiful place – Cinzia Chiulli said during the ceremony – just as our city will naturally leave a mark on their souls, a kind of thread that will forever bind the place and those who visit it.”
The tablets will be made available by the artist entirely free of charge and will presumably be placed in a location that bears witness to the passage of pilgrims through Viterbo; no decision has yet been made on the exact spot, but the councillors present said they were willing to consider a possible location, strictly ”after Santa Rosa”.
This praiseworthy initiative adds to the inauguration of the new road signs for pilgrims, designed and produced by Professor Alessandra Croci.
