Carro borgo di Paganini

The ‘Carro Borgo di Paganini’ project, launched with PNRR funds, presents its first result: ‘Boschi Sonori’, a work of environmental art. The presentation of the funded actions will be held on 10 May at 12 noon at the Carro Town Hall. This action aims to raise awareness of the importance of caring for forests by promoting sustainable cultural tourism.

To achieve the objectives, a detailed study was conducted on the tangible and intangible heritage of the area, actively involving the local community through interviews, focus groups and community involvement actions. The results of these activities will be summarised in a Community Map, which will serve as the basis for a competition of ideas by invitation for the realisation of two works of Environmental Art in the Carro area.

As part of the Boschi Sonori intervention, the Environmental Art Prize aims to promote a sustainable model of circular economy through art. The aim is to create a production chain that enhances unused natural resources, while raising awareness of climate change mitigation issues and involving local artisans. Emerging and established artists have been invited to participate by presenting projects that reflect the identity characteristics of the place.

Involved in one of the flagship projects is the former home of Niccolò Paganini’s ancestors, owned by the municipality and currently home to the Mineralogical Museum. This structure will be transformed into the ‘Casa Paganini Experience’: an innovative house-museum with immersive installations, Virtual Reality experiences (allowing visitors to play the violin as Paganini did), digital archive and documentation centre dedicated to the famous Italian violinist. The renovation of some spaces in the building is also planned.

Among the project’s significant interventions is the European Paganini Route cultural itinerary, dedicated to Maestro Niccolò Paganini.

All these interventions are part of a programme to promote innovative cultural tourism that respects the environment and local traditions. The objective is to valorise cultural resources, promote new residences and entrepreneurship, foster the development of skills and create new youth employment, as well as increase moments of community gathering to foster social cohesion. It is also intended to promote all the realities of the Val di Vara and to include the village of Carro in European cultural tourist itineraries, with important benefits for local development and the future of the region.