On Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 8 p.m., the Lojze Bratuž Cultural Center will host the opening of an exhibition in memory of the renowned illustrator Paola Bertolini Grudina. You are cordially invited!
At the opening of the exhibition, priest Alessio Geretti, curator of the Illegio exhibitions and responsible at the Holy See for the art events of the Jubilee 2025, will speak. The text of his presentation will also be available in a brochure in Slovenian and Italian, which will also serve as a guide to the exhibition. On this occasion, they will also show a recording – directed by Giovanni Ziberna and Valeria Baldan.
The exhibition is the result of cooperation between the La Primula Society, Lojze Bratuž Community Center and the Slovenian Catholic Education Association under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Gorica and the Diocese of Koper, under which Nova Gorica belongs, and the Municipality of Gorica as part of GO! 2025. Greetings on behalf of KCLB and ZSKP were brought by Franka Žgavec, who expressed her joy at the opening of Paola Bertolini Grudina’s exhibition, which “grew up within our community”.
Illustrator Paola Bertolini Grudina (1964 – 2019) lived in Gorica. She is the mother of five children. She was an active collaborator in the life and work of the Slovenian community abroad. She published her drawings in the newspaper Novi Glas, in Pastirček, in Mavrica, in editions of the publishing houses Mohorjeva Družba, Ognjišče and Družina… In 2008, she participated in the international competition for the best illustrated book with religious content in the USA and Canada. She won second prize. Her illustrations have attracted the attention of many publishers. Thus began cooperation with many foreign publishing houses that published magazines and books for children. Among them also with the large English publishing house Anno Domini Publishing. Her illustrations represent biblical stories and help children with their prayers. Paola Bertolini Grudin’s illustrations enrich children’s books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. It is known on all continents. Books with her illustrations were published in several reprints. She also collaborated on projects with her husband, Walter Grudina, an illustrator, caricaturist and graphic design expert.
We are born into a certain environment, nation and family. We do not choose our parents, brothers and sisters, but they are given to us. Parents accept children who are very different from each other. Not everything in life is the way we want it to be. Various cruel surprises are also waiting for us, which we accept very hard. We all want health, but sickness and death also creep into life. The greatness of Paola is that she created even in circumstances that were difficult for her; even during a serious illness. Art is connected to life. The greatness of his works of art depends on how the artist lives. The title “The Story of Salvation Revealed to a Child’s Heart”, which contains the words “salvation” and “revelation”, says a lot about Paola’s testimony and the mark she left on her husband Walter and the friends who prepared the exhibition. With this event, they open the way to the treasury of her wealth. Let Paola speak through the exhibition!
The exhibition will be on display at the Lojze Bratuž Cultural Center from Saturday, November 16, to Friday, January 10; on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
