Category: Updates

The “fashionable sheep” with the colors of the “Third Paradise” by Michelangelo Pistoletto, the symbol of the UNESCO candidacy, was presented today, Friday 15 November at the headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation.

The Owners of Mancini Dyers have in fact thus wished to pay tribute to the President Franco Ferraris, one of the main architects of this success of the territory.

“This specimen was made especially for the occasion – explains Mario Mancini who, together with his sons Maurizio and Rita provided for the delivery – and referring to the colors of the well-known logo to dress a component of our #ASPASSOCONLAPECORA project was a reason of great satisfaction!

In the company we are very happy that President Ferraris has accepted with enthusiasm our present and all together we hope that this modest gesture, thanks for the commitment of the institutions in achieving such a prestigious goal for our city, is a good omen for the recovery of the always beloved Biella!“.

An economic flow of around 7.5 million euros. It is the estimate of the economic impact of Città Studi Biella in terms of savings and economic value generated in the Biella area.

A result that explains how the instrumental company of the Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation is an important resource for the whole territory.

The growth of a territory, in fact, passes through both educational and innovative development. These are the cornerstones of the entire social and economic sector.

To be more competitive, a territory needs specific skills and strategies. Città Studi SpA works to realize the competitive advantage of the territory, training people and creating projects around which economic scenarios revolve.

In 2018 Città Studi SpA recorded important numbers related to the local economic flow: around 7.5 million euros is the estimate of the economic impact of Città Studi SpA in terms of savings and economic value generated in the local area, a result that testifies to the capacity to translate ideas into actions for the benefit of the Biella socio-economic system. And that explains how Città Studi SpA is an important resource for the whole territory.

The relevant data is taken from the 2018 Sustainability Report: a document that aims to offer an overview of the structure, services and results achieved by the company thanks to the experience gained in over forty years of history.

For more information, see www.cittastudi.org

Biella has become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the activities foreseen in the candidacy dossier started immediately. In particular, this week, initiatives related to the theme of Weave Relations are inaugurated. One of the strategic projects proposed and contained in the Biellese dossier sees the involvement of an exceptional partner: the Republic of Namibia, one of the regions currently underrepresented in the UNESCO network. And this week, a delegation from Namibia made up of high-level institutional representatives and entrepreneurship representatives will be present on our territory with a rich program of visits and meetings:

Hinda Bonaventura, Embassy of the Republic of Namibia;

Lucia Basson, governor of the Karas Region;

Lukas Shekwaanyena, Karas Region;

Beatus Kasete, Region of Karas;

Desmond Basson, Municipality of Kettmanshoop;

Hilia Titus, Municipality of Kettmanshoop, deputy mayor;

Gabriel Freyer, businessman;

Henry Jongwe, businessman:

Apollus Christiaan Baisako, businessman.

“It will be an opportunity to make the Biellese known and to talk about the project, based on the mutual exchange of know-how and deep identity of the two territories – explains Claudio Corradino, mayor of Biella – we will draw a creative axis between us, the Italian capital of wool, and Keetmanshoop, capital of the Namibian wool region of Karas”.

The project was born thanks to the mediation of Petter Johannesen, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Namibia of the Embassy of Namibia in Milan and Bia Srl, a company that followed the project from the beginning, and was built according to the dictates of AGENDA UN 2030 and addresses the issues of environmental sustainability, animal welfare, manufacturing creativity.

The realization of the project with Namibia will represent a model of inclusive collaboration. In particular, in order to strengthen international cooperation and develop an active collaboration between Italy and Namibia, Biella is committed with Keetmanshoop to training support (workshops for operators in Biella) and to mentorship for its future candidacy in Field Crafts & Folk Art.

With reference to Karakul wool, Biella will support Namibian weaving / craftsmanship as strategic alternatives to the trade in animal fur. The collaboration will deal with technical-manufacturing but also creative elements (product storytelling, creative industries marketing): in support of growth respectful of cultural specificities, enhancing the network of 170 Third Paradise Embassies according to UCCN.

During this week the delegation will be accompanied to visit the excellences of the territory, there will be many workshops of mutual presentation and deepening of the points that will characterize the project that involves the two territories.

Wednesday morning (6 November), the delegation will be received at the Palazzo Oropa boardroom for an official meeting, the delegation will be welcomed by the highest authorities of the territory and by the economic representatives. This will also be an opportunity to meet local media.

“The great satisfaction for the entry of Biella in the UNESCO Creative Cities network is realized today in the first actions with the visit of the Namibian delegation that we hosted in Città Studi, one of the most important centers for textile training in Italy – declares the President of The Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation Franco Ferraris – From today therefore begins a new phase of the UNESCO path that will see the realization of the six projects included in the dossier. All the institutional subjects of the territory are actively involved. the delegation in the first operational workshop on Monday 4 November at the Foundation Council Hall“.

It is official: from today Biella is part of the “Unesco Creative Cities” Network!

The capital of wool enters the network for creativity in the “Crafts & Folk Art” sector after enchanting Paris in recent days with the beauty of its know-how that has its diamond point in the textile industry and with a focus on sustainability. A surprising goal that enhances the great commitment of the whole territory that never as on this occasion has worked together for a common goal and which has recorded the convinced endorsement of the governor of Piedmont Alberto Cirio who has strongly requested the entry of Biella as the third Piedmontese city after Turin and Alba.

Together with Biella it entered the network Bergamo for gastronomy while Como and Trieste were excluded.

“I am happy for this extraordinary result that enhances our great commitment – comments the President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation Franco Ferraris – Biella has really great potential not only in the field of textile creativity, since our territory is rich in beauties that entering this network will allow us to enhance and make known. It is the best day since I assumed the Presidency of the Foundation. I thank all the partners who contributed to the victory“.

Claudio Corradino, Mayor of Biella declares: “Today is a day of celebration for the whole city. No one excluded. The community has won, a territory that, as in rare other occasions, has managed to move together in a united way. Biella is Creative City Unesco 2019 and the efforts of months of great work are rewarded, a thank you must be renewed to the partners that have believed and supported the project. My wish is that this recognition can be a driving force for the re-launch of the territory, certainly we show signs of great vitality that make us be optimistic for the future”.

Great satisfaction also for the Pistoletto Foundation, which made a decisive contribution to the operation by providing the logo of the Third Paradise which embodies the values ​​of the city and which was able to count on the extremely important support of the network of Third Paradise embassies in the world.

“Thanks to those who believed that the Symbol of the Third Paradise could successfully accompany this passage that marks a transition, a regeneration of our territory, which unites past and future, industry and culture, nature and artifice. Come on, then, all together let’s see how beautiful our model is. We improve our limits, and celebrate our successes. Together we win” declares the Director of Cittadellarte Paolo Naldini.

“We at Cittadellarte are delighted that Biella has been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City under the auspicious sign of the Third Paradise” declared Michelangelo Pistoletto enthusiastically.

“A beautiful news that fills us with joy and pride – commented the President of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio – I had a positive perception already during my last mission in Paris, together with the mayor of Biella, precisely to support this candidacy. After Alba for gastronomy and Turin for design, Biella is the third city in Piedmont to enter the “Creative Cities” circuit and deserves it. Thanks go to all those who have made this great result possible. And now to work to turn this important recognition into jobs and tourism turnover. UNESCO confirms Piedmont as a World Heritage Site!”

Finally, great satisfaction from all the project management team composed of Andrea Quaregna and Federica Chilà for the Cassa di Risparmio di Biella Foundation; Alberto Cecca and Barbara Greggio for Municipality of Biella; Marina Maffei and Margherita Cugini for Cittadellarte, Angelo Boscarino and Elena Federica Marini for the consulting company BIA Srl which has followed the project from the beginning.

On Wednesday 23 October in Paris – on the occasion of the CreativItaly event held at the UNESCO headquarters and dedicated to the presentation of the 4 finalist Italian cities – special textile productions were exhibited in the corner dedicated to Biella in which the technological content and manufacturing quality are combined attention to environmental sustainability and the cultural value inherent in the garment.

The UNESCO ambassadors were thus able to admire the new wool jersey polo shirt chosen as a uniform by the Gondoliers of Venice, who have recently expressed their support for Biella’s candidacy.

The 433 gondoliers of Venice have in fact decided to wear a new versatile fabric, 100% natural and renewable thanks to the collaboration of The Woolmark Company and the Venetian fashion house Emilio Ceccato.

The new fabrics are by Successori Reda and Tollegno 1900, two historical Biellese companies. Merino wool has been chosen for its natural isothermal and breathable characteristics. Reda Active fabrics were used for the polo shirts, specifically designed to give the best in sports performance, while the sweater yarn comes from the Tollegno 1900 house.

The initiative brings the gondoliers back to the renewal of a centuries-old tradition of wearing quality wool uniforms already at the beginning of the 1900s.

With this uniform, the Gondoliers were honored on 22 September with the Eco Stewardship Award from the Italian Chamber of Fashion and Eco-Age for the responsible use of wool in their uniforms, a return to their origins in the name of modernity.

Here is the letter sent by the President of the Gondolieri Association of Venice:

GONDOLIERI ASSOCIATION OF VENICE

President

On behalf of all the 433 Gondoliers of Venice I am truly happy and honored to support the city of Biella in its UNESCO Creative Cities Network candidacy.

For about a year, with the support of The Woolmark Company, we were able to wear our Merino wool uniforms again after 100 years.

Thanks to the well-known creativity and innovation of the Biellese wool industry, the garments we wear are the best answer to our quality and performance needs and in line with the fundamental principles of eco-sustainability that characterize our work.

…… without Biella what wool would it be! …

Thanks and “ad maiora”.

Andrea Balbi

President

Gondoliers Association of Venice.

While the Biella delegation was on its way to Paris, on Tuesday evening Ezio Greggio – television host, comedian, actor and director, and first of all from Biella – was cheering directly from Striscia la notizia!

These are his words: “The city of Biella will present the official candidacy for entry into the network of UNESCO Creative cities and then tonight we will be rooting for Biella: Forza Biella!” (here you can see the video).

And Massimo Gramellini – Italian journalist, writer and television presenter, deputy editor and columnist for Corriere della Sera, but above all originally from Turin – has published a post on his Facebook profile in support of the candidacy: “As a good Piedmontese, I support Biella, that is a candidate to become a UNESCO Creative City. Let’s support it together! ” (here you can see the post).

Special thanks from all the Biella Creative City team!