On May 27, 1942, the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory was inaugurated. To give due prominence to the anniversary, the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Padua organizes a day centered on the memory of the architect Calabi, which will be held on Friday, May 27 , 2022, at the Sala Millepini of Asiago from 10.00 am.

The morning program includes, after the institutional greetings of the Magnificent Rector of the University of Padua, Daniela Mapelli, and the mayor of Asiago, Roberto Rigoni Stern, the message of the senator for life, Liliana Segre, of particular significance for the event.

This will be followed by speeches by Flavio Seno, Director of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and of the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory; Roberto Ragazzoni, Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Padua, structure of the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF); Donatella Calabi, architectural historian and daughter of the architect Calabi; Stefano Zaggia, architectural historian; Davide Romanin Jacur, Councillor of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI).

The event is open to the public, but registration is mandatory at this  

On this occasion, during a ceremony by invitation, a commemorative plaque will also be discovered in memory of the architect Calabi placed in the historic building of the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory.

THE ARCHITECT DANIELE CALABI AND THE PROJECT OF THE ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY OF ASIAGO

The project of the Asiago Observatory was carried out in the mid-1930s by the architect Daniele Calabi, from a Jewish family.

Calabi, in addition to the drafting of the project, followed the various phases of construction of the Observatory until the end of 1938, when due to the fascist laws on race he was forced to leave all office.

On January 13, 1939, he left Italy for Brazil and returned only in 1948.

Just from Genoa, before leaving, Calabi wrote a letter to Giovanni Silva, the Paduan astronomer of the time who had advocated the birth of the Asiago Observatory, reassuring him that all the work was proceeding well and that therefore he did not have to worry: a tangible sign of his great dedication to the project and to the University of Padua.

In the inaugural ceremony of 1942 the name of Calabi was not even mentioned. On the other hand, none of the various subsequent celebratory events was dedicated to those who designed and followed the realization of the Observatory.

It seems right, eighty years after the inauguration, to remember him and remember his work and, even if late, apologize for how he was treated.

The locations in which teaching and research took place and are taking place are places that deserve to be enhanced, all the more so if their design has been particularly accurate and far-sighted. Calabi's work, in this sense, has allowed the University of Padua to equip itself with a prestigious venue for the teaching, research and dissemination of astronomy and physics, still today an Italian and international reference point.

THE PROGRAM OF THE CELEBRATION

10:00 – Greetings from Daniela Mapelli, Magnificent Rector of the University of Padua, Roberto Rigoni Stern, Mayor of Asiago, message from Liliana Segre, senator for life

moderated by Giulio Peruzzi

10:30 – Flavio Seno, Director of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and of the Astrofical Observatory of Asiago

10:50 – Roberto Ragazzoni, Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Padua, STRUCTURE OF INAF

11:10 – Donatella Calabi, architectural historian

11:40 – Stefano Zaggia, architectural historian

12:10 – Davide Romanin Jacur, Councillor of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI)

12:40 – Conclusions

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