Awarded to the Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force and the Military Band the prestigious International Gold Medal Award “Maison des Artistes”.
On Friday 10 November, the Gala Ceremony of the [...] was held in the Great Hall of the Sapienza University of Rome. International Gold Medal Maison Des Artistes Award, promoted by the association of the same name, which sought to reward those figures and institutions that have contributed to the growth of society during the current year, each within their own professional field. Among these, the MUSAM, Italian Air Force Museum of Vigna di Valle, and Italian Air Force Band, together with many figures from the military, religious and civil spheres, welcomed by the Board of Directors led by the President Dr Eugenio Morgia.
The ceremony, proposed by the “Paride Stefanini” Department of General and Specialist Surgery of “La Sapienza”, sponsored by the Presidency of the Regional Council of Lazio, the Department of Decentralisation, Participation and Territorial Services for the 15-Minute City of Rome Capital, the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, and the Municipality of Ronciglione (VT), was also characterised by pleasant musical interludes and presented by the journalist and TV presenter, Dr Paola Zanoni.
This is the motivation found on the parchment accompanying the precious Gold Medal awarded to MUSAM: “For the technical heritage and historical value, which are priceless for the Italian Air Force; for its significance on the national and international scene, as one of the most important Museums in the world for the number of aircraft on display; for the new museum layout and visitor services, with 5 pavilions spanning over 16,000 square metres of exhibition space, capable of bringing the history of the Armed Force to life in thematic and chronological order; for its ability to recount the evolution of aviation in Italy through aircraft, engines, and various memorabilia; for the important collections of photographic equipment, radio-electric devices, weaponry, and individual and collective onboard equipment, featuring numerous items and memorabilia from private collections. For its renewed layout designed to welcome visitors from all over the world”.
Visibly moved and full of pride, the Director, Lt. Col. Arturo Alfredo Caccetta, wanted to thank the’Maison des Artistes Association for the prestigious award, which he wished to share with the Armed Forces, primarily the Chief of Staff, Air Force General Luca Goretti, and all the staff who together with him contributed to the achievement of this prestigious milestone.
Among the winners, as well as the MUSAM, also the Italian Air Force Band with his Director, Maestro Maggiore Pantaleo Leonfranco Cammarano, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble representing the entire group: the Clarinet Quintet, who delighted the audience with some pieces from their rich repertoire.“It is an honour and a privilege to receive this award”said Maestro Cammarano, thanking the Executive Committee and President Morgia.“Through our concerts, we bring to life the Armed Forces' cherished concept of an institution at the service of the community, and during this Centenary year we will be even closer to the local area by launching, from 18 November next, the first concert season open free to all at our headquarters at the Urbe Airport“.
This prestigious international award is the third received by the Vigna di Valle Base in the space of just one month: in October, the Macchi MC-72 seaplane on display at MUSAM received the ASME International Landmark Award; last week the Captain Pilot Fausto Cecconi Award it was awarded to the CSSAM (Historical and Sports Centre of the Italian Air Force) of Vigna di Valle, which houses, in addition to the MUSAM, another Armed Force centre of excellence: the A.M. Sports Centre., a true hotbed of Italian sporting talent on the international stage.
It CSSAM of Vigna di Valle, located on the western shore of Lake Bracciano, is known as The cradle of the Air Forceprecisely from here, at the behest of Major of the Royal Engineers Maurizio Mario Moris, experiments in hydrodynamics began at the start of the last century and, in 1908, the first military airship, the N.1, created by the engineers Gaetano Arturo Crocco and Ottavio Ricaldoni, took off. Over the years Vigna di Valle has hosted several important entities: as well as representing the first Aeronautical Experimental Shipyard, it was also the birthplace of the first Experimental Aerological Station, aimed at providing flight assistance to the early airships, the first Airship Pilots School, the first Experimental Centre and aerial gunnery school for seaplanes, and the first Air Rescue Centre. In the post-war period, Vigna di Valle also became home to the Historic Aircraft Collection Centre and the Italian Air Force Sports Centre. From the 1970s onwards, for about two decades, it hosted the Armed Force Personnel Selection Centre and in 1977 the Historical Museum was opened to the public. Today, the CSSAM remains home to the Historical Museum and the Armed Force Sports Centre.
The Brass band of the Italian Air Force is a high-representation unit of the Armed Force, established in 1937 in Rome with an inaugural concert in the presence of Maestro Pietro Mascagni. It depends administratively and disciplinarily on COMAER – Comando Aeronautica Militare Roma and, for its deployment, on the 5th Communication Department of SMA. Its operational headquarters are located in the historic Hangar 44 of the Rome Urbe Airport, at Via Salaria 825. The link to book access to the 2023 concert season is as follows: https://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/home/noi-siamo-l-am/organizzazione/gruppi-musicali/
