Inauguration of the “Di Onda in Onda” Atelier in Ligonchio

On Saturday, July 26, “Di Onda in Onda – Atelier of Waters and Energies” was officially inaugurated at the Ligonchio Hydroelectric Plant, in the Municipality of Ventasso, in the heart of the Reggio Apennines. A steady and engaged flow of visitors took part in the special openings on Saturday 26, and Sunday, July 27, bringing life to the spaces and confirming strong interest in this new educational, cultural, and scientific venue, open to all ages. “Di Onda in Onda” was conceived as a place of discovery and wonder, where visitors can explore some of the key themes of our time – water, sun, energy – through 17 interactive installations, also addressing central issues such as climate and sustainability. Starting from the history and culture of the territory, “Di Onda in Onda” aims to foster a dialogue between science, art, and pedagogy, combining the atelier experience based on the Reggio Emilia Approach, the scientific method of the laboratory, and the interactivity of the experiential museum. Following the public opening during the weekend, further summer openings are planned and will be announced soon. Educational activities will resume regularly in September, in conjunction with the start of the new school year.

The initiative was funded and made possible by the Municipality of Ventasso, in collaboration with the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, thanks to the awarding in 2022 of European Union financing – Next Generation EU, through the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) call promoted by the MIC (Ministry of Culture), “Attractiveness of Historic Villages – local regeneration project,” for the project “Ligonchio: Where Energy Becomes Culture,” with the collaboration of Enel Green Power. 

Below are statements from representatives of the involved organizations:

Enrico Ferretti, Mayor of the Municipality of Ventasso: “The reopening of the 'Di Onda in Onda' atelier in Ligonchio represents a significant turning point for the entire Ventasso community. The space has been completely redesigned compared to its original setup, and this new nature has allowed the development of an environment that brings together heterogeneous fields such as territory, history, social life, learning, and innovation in a unique context, with the aim of offering new opportunities and development for the mountain territory in which it is located. One characteristic I want to emphasize is the multitude of emotions evoked by experiencing the atelier and its educational proposals. It does not provide answers but stimulates questions, in a context where sharing has been crucial – sharing and collaboration that must represent cornerstones for the life of our community. This important achievement, the result of close collaboration among all actors and forces involved, to whom I extend my sincere thanks, once again demonstrates the countless potentials the territory can offer.”

Emanuele Ferrari, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Apennines and Mayor of Castelnovo Monti, stated: “The reopening of the Atelier after a renewal process is fundamental for the Apennines for two reasons. First, it represents the continuity of an investment in advanced education for youth, innovative teaching practices for all ages, and the recovery and revitalization of the significance of places: Enel and the historic Ligonchio plant are landmarks of the territory and human activity indispensable to the mountains. Second, through the involvement of Reggio Children, both the Foundation and the Srl, relations between the Apennines and the city are strengthened through high-level projects and collaborations, such as the Peri-Merulo Conservatory in Castelnovo Monti, the Palazzo Magnani Foundation for European Photography, the cultural event L’Uomo che Cammina, as well as projects related to the National Park and the UNESCO MAB area.”

Fausto Giovanelli, President of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park: “Today’s presentation is not just an event. It is a baptism, the beginning of a continuing life. Our goal is to build animation, attendance, and continuous activities in Ligonchio across the four seasons. Although much remains to be done, the essence of today is to solidify collaboration among the Park, the Municipality of Ventasso, the Union of Municipalities of the Apennines, the Emilia-Romagna Region, and all other involved parties. This will be decisive for genuine success.”

Davide Baruffi, Regional Councillor for Budget, Support Policies, and Development of Mountain and Inner Areas of Emilia-Romagna Region, commented: “This new educational and cultural space is a small gem, for its quality, context, and content. It is a concrete example of valuing the identity of the inner and mountain areas of our region. The 'Di Onda in Onda' Atelier exemplifies how Emilia-Romagna is working to enhance the Apennine territory as a whole, recognizing its many and diverse specificities, to promote a culture of sustainability and innovation. It is an investment in the future of our region and particularly our mountain communities, which are carrying out very important projects and investments. Collaboration between institutions and different stakeholders is the key to the success of initiatives like this. Our commitment is to restore centrality to the mountains and inner areas by enhancing their characteristics and promoting all the potential they hold, which have great growth prospects.”

Together with PNATE, the project partners are Fondazione Reggio Children - Centro Loris Malaguzzi ETS, the Department of Science and Methods of Engineering of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, in collaboration with Reggio Children srl, Lapis Architetture Studio with architect Carlo Margini, and Enel Green Power.

Cristian Fabbi, President of Reggio Children srl and General Director of Fondazione Reggio Children, began by recalling Carla Rinaldi, “one of the visionaries behind the Atelier”:
“In Carla’s style, I want to thank everyone and wish a bright future to this beautiful spaceship, a mirror of the nature and reality in which it is immersed. Above all, I want to emphasize the multidisciplinary approach and the honest and constant dialogue of the working group coordinated by Valentina Conte, whom I thank, which is the hallmark of the Reggio Emilia Approach that Carla valued most. This is the essence of research, for children and adults alike. A practice for the common good, which has resulted in 17 'exploraMents' created to learn through play, designed specifically to meet today’s educational challenges, from digital technology to climate change. Fondazione Reggio Children works in solidarity, research, and quality education, which is also why we stand here alongside the resilience of mountain communities.”

Elena Degoli, full professor of Theoretical Physics of Matter and Deputy Director of DISMI, Department of Science and Methods of Engineering at Unimore, said: “The energy and digital transition is at the core of a strategic research line at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, with DISMI among the leaders. The interest concerns not only new technologies but also the effects of these transitions on education, work, and daily life. In this context, the Atelier of Waters and Energies represents a crucial step in terms of education, research, and outreach: a space dedicated to experimenting with energy phenomena in a sustainable and digital key, to promote responsible environmental awareness.”
“I want to remember Professor Olmes Bisi,” she concluded, “our founding dean, who participated in creating the first 'Di Onda in Onda' atelier, and thank DISMI collaborators who ideated and realized the experiences: Professor Ivan Marri and Dr. Claudio Melioli.”

Giuseppina Gentili, head of the Busana-Ariosto Comprehensive Institute, recalled her meeting with Carla Rinaldi in 2008 and the decisive role partner schools will play in the project: “The redevelopment of this experiential space sees our schools and teachers directly involved in defining and co-designing educational activities aimed at different age groups, educational pathways of knowledge foreseen in the school curriculum and consistent with key competencies, and the possibility of learning better through experience. Beyond this great opportunity, the Atelier also represents a great challenge: to make the mountain a place of research and pedagogical and educational innovation, in a transversal and multidisciplinary dimension, making 'small mountain schools' centers of excellence, where being few does not mean being less, and where the resources of the territory, community, educational relationships, and cultural hubs like the Atelier are the best response for a new humanism and the centrality of the person.”

Among the large audience on Saturday, 26 were other institutions, including regional councilors Anna Fornili and Alessandro Aragona, many mayors and mountain public administrators, Luca Vecchi, chief of staff of the Emilia-Romagna Region, and Carlotta Bonvicini, Councillor for Climate and Parks of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia.

RECOGNITION TO THE WORKING GROUP

Many acknowledgments went to the multidisciplinary team entrusted by the project partners with designing the new setup. The team was coordinated by Valentina Conte, architect and expert in learning spaces at Fondazione Reggio Children, and included Claudio Melioli, astrophysicist and lecturer in New Photovoltaic Technologies at DISMI-Unimore; architect Carlo Margini of Lapis Architetture Studio and construction director; Elena Sofia Paoli, atelierista at Fondazione Reggio Children; for Reggio Children Srl, Marco Spaggiari, atelierista; Benedetta Barbantini, training coordination and project manager for Italy; and Rosa Buonanno, biologist and PhD in Reggio Childhood Studies at DESU-Unimore. Thanks also to the Europe Office of the Municipality of Ventasso, including engineers Claudio Poletti and Alessandro Tacchini, the Park Director Giuseppe Vignali, and Sara Manfredini.

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY BETWEEN SCIENCE AND NATURE

The different energies underlying every physical, natural, and biological phenomenon are at the heart of the Atelier. The 400-square-meter open space at the Hydroelectric Plant hosts immersive research areas. From water waves to electromagnetic waves, specially created scientific prototypes offer experiences on Water, Electrons, and the Sun, making even complex concepts accessible to an audience aged 3 to 99, visiting individually or in groups. Exploration and discovery thus happen through play, dialogue, research, and continuous questioning that opens up to the nature and history of the Apennine ridge and the Hydroelectric Plant.

Download the Press Release: