On 17 February 1995, on the eve of the 250th anniversary of Volta’s birth, the programme of Voltian Celebrations was officially presented. The initiative was promoted by a Working Group composed of the Municipality, Province and Chamber of Commerce of Como and the “A. Volta” Centre for Scientific Culture, which subsequently formed a Committee.
Fabio Bevilacqua (University of Pavia), Riccardo Galli (University of Milan) and Antonio Spallino, president of the Volta Centre, will participate in the kick-off press conference. The celebrations are in keeping with Volta’s scientific and historiographical tradition, with a particular focus on the dialogue between science, history and popularisation.
Throughout 1995, numerous exhibitions and educational events took place: film screenings dedicated to Volta, concerts, guided tours of places associated with Volta, and historical exhibitions on the celebrations of 1899 and 1927. The initiatives involved cultural institutions, universities for senior citizens, and city associations.
Among the most significant initiatives are the exhibition Da Volta a Marconi (From Volta to Marconi), dedicated to the development of telecommunications, and the symbolic naming of a star after Alessandro Volta. These events highlight Volta’s relevance in the contemporary scientific and technological context.
The celebrations also include concerts and musical events, such as those by the ‘A. Volta’ Philharmonic Orchestra, which contribute to making the 250th anniversary a moment of widespread participation and involvement of the entire local community.
The initiatives of 1995 confirm Como’s central role in promoting Volta’s legacy. More than just a single anniversary, the 250th anniversary of his birth becomes an opportunity to reaffirm the continuity of the celebrations and the link between Volta, the city and contemporary scientific culture.
