Abruzzo News: 1 September 1999

LANCIANO - For centuries now in September all the city festivals, originated probably from the pagan homage to the goddess of Abundance to favour a good harvest. Then in the 11th century a statue of Our Lady was found under Diocletianus' bridge, and a "festa della Madonna" is recorded since the XVII century, though officially inaugurated on 15 september 1833. The tradition also says that Lanciano was founded on 1 september 1181 B.C., by Solimo, a Trojan who escaped from the Aegean city at the same time as Eneas. September was the month of Fairs and markets and of the Mastrogiurato appointment, which will be re-enacted this Sunday.

At Monte Catone, Imola, in a Rehabilitation Institute, so many youths on wheelchairs. We've come to met Andrea Faieta from Collecorvino, Province of Pescara, 22, red hair and an attempt to a beard, who suffered a C6 injury while playing soccer with his friends. This injury may affect also the upper limbs, but Andrea was "lucky": after massive rehabilitation he can now raise a leg at a time, and move his toes. «Soon the new millennium is starting. I hope to move my first steps in the Year 2000, even with two walking-sticks. I think I can do it ...»

Great success of "La porta per il Terzo millennio: L'Aquila" by the Aquilante association - The copies available were all sold out in five minutes. The modern guide, accompanied by a CD-Rom, was hunted mainly by local residents.

Castelli Art Institute will make a crib for the Chapel in Roseto Villa Comunale, and on one of the ancient hill tracks to Montepagano low-relief columns will be placed. Adriana Piatti from Roseto administration and Vincenzo Di Giosaffatte, the principal of Castelli Art Institute, met to discuss details.

SULMONA. The precious bronze statue, found at the feet of Mount Morrone, Sulmona, 40 years ago will stay in Chieti. Nobody is happy in Sulmona, which is striving hard to obtain its own museums. «The Hercules belongs to Sulmona and must return here» replies mayor Bruno Di Masci «we'll soon have an archaelogical museum too».

From today up to 31 december four more afternoons and a painting exhibition with works by Vittorio Amadio, Albert Casals, Marisa Marconi, Joaquim Pujol up to 20 September and a collection from journal «Oggi e Domani», from late September to 27 November.