In celebration of the Twenty Fifth anniversary of Matera becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a prelaunch for the European City of Culture 2019, a UNESCO Conference was held to discuss the cultural enhancement of the “Sassi”, the territory, and the future of traditional knowledge.
Pietro Laureano, President of ICOMOS Italy and of ITKI, proposed that the official UNESCO Conference for Matera as European City of Culture in 2019 be held in memory of Colonel Michael Carrington, which was accepted by our President and his widow Elizabeth Nobrega de Araujo Tsakiroglou.
Matera, in the heart of Italy's southern Basilicata region, is best known for the “Sassi”; its extensive cave-dwellings, which create a spectacular landscape. It is one of the first and oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Italy, with evidence of settlement dating back to 7000BC.
Assistant Professor, Doctor Mihai Niculita and Sanziana Bujor, on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Geography-Geology, and Professor Doctor Adrian Grozavu, from the University of Iasi, presented Diplomas of Excellence to Pietro Laureano, Elizabeth Nobrega de Araujo Tsakiroglou, and posthumously to Colonel Michael Carrington.
Doctor Mihai Niculita spoke on Romanian Traditional Knowledge, one of the most ancient cultures in the world, the “Cucuteni” culture, dating back 8000 years.
All eyes now turn to Matera, the natural and historical jewel, for the official opening in January. The unique location already attracts art and culture from around the world with a Dali exhibition being held within the cave complex of Madonna delle Virtù (Our Lady of Virtues) and San Nicola dei Greci (St. Nicholas of the Greeks) to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of his death. It is also surrounded by the remarkable Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia.