Was delivered to the master’s family members Salvatore Azzolino The civic merit to the memory conferred on him by the municipal administration led by the Mayor Giovanni Papasso.
The ceremony, sober and exciting, was held over the weekend in the first citizen cabinet. In addition to the mayor Papasso, the junta almost complete, the representatives of the city council, managers and employees, and, above all, the family and friends of the late Azzolino master who have never forgotten him and still retain his memory.
The reasons explained the commissioner Sara Russo who read the report attached to the delivery of the official parchment: «For the innate human and artistic qualities and the great passion made to the service of pictorial art and restoration; for having been able to transmit his knowledge to many young people who followed his footsteps in the field of painting; For giving, with his art, prestige to the city of Cassano alla Ionio ».
Salvatore Azzolino, in detail, was born in Cassano alla Ionio on February 14, 1915 and died on January 10, 2003, the master Azzolino was a Naif painter, a master of plaster and restorer, for years lighthouse of all those Cassanese who approached the world of pictorial art. His activity was very fervent: he set up over 150 personal exhibitions, he edited the restoration of many churches, including that of Lungro, in particular he frescoed the altarpiece of the altar in 1968 and the vault of the church of the presentation of the Lord of Lauropoli. For several years he has been at the service of the diocese of Cassano taking care of the restoration of the famous “varette”, the mysteries brought in procession on Good Friday.
“For the city council that has approved them in recent months – explained the mayor Papasso – civic merit is a Important element for the construction of a right and solidarity company in which the merit and recognition are assigned according to the actions and value of people. Each of us has a picture of the master Azzolino at home and we all saw him work and operate in our city. We want to be an example for young people and future generations ».
“With great pride – commented his nephew Olimpia Azzolino Fernandez on behalf of the entire family and who together with his brother Salvatore signed the reception of civic merit in the memory of the late grandfather – today we celebrate the memory of my dear grandfather on a unique opportunity It is special. A respectable artist and man, although many years have passed since his disappearance, has left a memory of himself, of his art and his indelible honesty. A special thanks to the mayor Giovanni Papasso, to the city council for such an important recognition to our unforgettable artist, on my part, of my brothers and from the whole Azzolino family ».