The National Museums of Liguria support the Gaslini Children’s Hospital
Thanks to the memorandum of understanding, ‘Una Relazione che Cura’ (A Relationship that Heals), between the Ministry of Culture (Musei Nazionali di Genova – Direzione Regionale Musei Nazionali Liguria) and the Giannina Gaslini Paediatric Hospital in Genoa, the national museums are offering a pass that includes initiatives designed for children and young people. The pass also provides free access for their families, who are spending time at the Gaslini Hospital. The primary objective is to provide moments of leisure and relaxation through cultural sites in the area.
On Friday 10 October at 4.30pm, the three-year agreement between the Ministry of Culture (the National Museums of Genoa and Liguria) and the Giannina Gaslini Paediatric Hospital in Genoa was presented to the public. Representatives of the two institutions gathered in the Ballroom of the Royal Palace to unveil this significant project, which aims to introduce the world of culture to the children and young people receiving treatment at Gaslini Hospital, along with their families.
The agreement, promoted by the Reception Service, Inclusiveness and Accessibility of the National Museums of Genoa, provides a Pass for free access, already available for children and young people, extended to their families in 13 museums in the Liguria region, from Ventimiglia to Luni, with the aim of lightening the stay of children, young people and their families by offering opportunities for recreation and learning about cultural heritage.
To take advantage of this initiative, interested families should go to the hospitality desk at the Gaslini Institute (CABEF office, pavilion 13, sea-side entrance, ground floor), where staff will fill in and issue the relevant coupon, which will allow them to visit the museums free of charge.
“It’s an agreement that is very important to us,” emphasises Alessandra Guerrini, Director of the National Museums of Genoa and Liguria. “It concerns activities that are particularly close to our hearts.Cultural heritage belongs to everyone and should be accessible to all, so that everyone can benefit from it. We are delighted to be embarking on this project with the Gaslini Institute, which will enable us to engage with children, young people, and families. We hope that the experiences we offer will brighten their hospital stay and stimulate their curiosity about our museums”
“This protocol is an important step in our commitment to the well-being of children and their families. Our collaboration with the National Museums of Genoa and Liguria stems from our belief that culture can provide moments of serenity and discovery that enrich the experience of those spending time at Gaslini. It is an initiative that unites the worlds of health and culture under a shared vision of individual care”, commented Renato Botti, general manager of the IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute.
At the heart of the project lies the belief that culture is a valuable social tool: historical sites, fortresses, museums and archaeological areas are spaces where people can improve their well-being through enjoyment. The agreement provides for guided tours led by Ministry of Culture staff and participation in musical events or shows organised at the thirteen cultural sites.
The programme also allows cultural heritage to be enjoyed from a distance through the sharing of materials, such as particularly detailed and carefully curated video footage. This can be enjoyed at the Ligurian paediatric hospital, providing a window through which the museums can enter Gaslini and vice versa. This agreement is therefore the first step towards creating relationship and exchange initiatives that will be developed further over time.
The museums involved in the agreement: Musei Nazionali di Genova (Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Spinola – Galleria Nazionale della Liguria), Museo Preistorico Nazionale dei Balzi Rossi e Area archeologica di Nervia (Ventimiglia), Forte Santa Tecla (Sanremo), Forte San Giovanni (Finale Ligure), Museo dell’Arte Vetraria (Altare), Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Chiavari, Villa romana del Varignano (Portovenere), Castello di San Terenzo (Lerici), Fortezza Firmafede e Fortezza di Sarzananello (Sarzana), Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Luni (La Spezia).
