Among the ingenious people of Abruzzo, known throughout the world for their artistic work but little known in their homeland, we can count Giuseppe Lisio, born in a small hamlet of Roccamontepiano in 1870.

Gabriele D'Annunzio was his close friend, as demonstrated by an intense and emotional correspondence in which “the Vate” expressed, on every occasion, his profound and sincere admiration for the artist of textile craftsmanship, a man whom he considered a fellow countryman and even a “brother”, calling him “lu cumbá Peppe”.
He described him as the “great master of heddles and weaver of every colour”.

Lisio was born in Roccamontepiano, in the Terranova district, on 26 February 1870, and his strong bond with his homeland never left him despite his international success and the many journeys he undertook.

For this reason, the Municipality has always devoted attention to one of its most illustrious sons, beginning in December 1998 with the first silk exhibition dedicated to Lisio in Abruzzo, held in Chieti and Roccamontepiano. The initiative was supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Abruzzo Region, the Province of Chieti, and Brioni’s Roman Style division in Penne, founded by the late Lucio Marcotullio.

The museum-workshop in Piazza Terranova was realised on 21 March 2009 thanks to the commitment of the Municipality, which obtained European Docup funding, with the project overseen by architect Stefania Giardinelli. The headquarters of “Casa Lisio” are located in the premises of the new building constructed where, from 1776 to 1927, the former Municipal Palace of Roccamontepiano stood, the place where Lisio was registered at birth.

The Foundation was pleased to take part in this anniversary, as well as to contribute by exhibiting precious textiles that preserve the designs and the enduring quality of Lisio’s productions over time.

It expresses its gratitude to the entire community of Roccamontepiano, which with great enthusiasm wished to celebrate Giuseppe Lisio, his memory, and his work, as well as everything that followed, with Fidalma and the activities of the Lisio Foundation.

The meeting was attended by the Regional Councillor for Culture Daniele D’Amario and the Commissioner for the Reconstruction of Ischia Giovanni Legnini (former Mayor of Roccamontepiano from 1990 to 2002). The proceedings were opened by the Mayor of Roccamontepiano, Dario Marinelli.

Speakers included:

• Ezio Di Crecchio, President of the Pro loco Accademia Tegea di Chieti;
• Adamo Carulli, former Mayor of Roccamontepiano, who presented a talk on “Giuseppe Lisio’s everlasting bond with Roccamontepiano”;
• Councillor for Culture Gina Tatasciore, who spoke on “The Giuseppe Lisio Museum between past, present, and future”;
• Katia Maratea, Head of Communication and Quality Management System at the Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio, with a presentation on “The Lisio Silk Art Foundation”;
• Paola Di Renzo, Headteacher of the Convitto Nazionale G. B. Vico – Classical High School G. B. Vico and the Liceo Artistico Nicola da Guardiagrele, who presented “The project for the creation of workshops dedicated to hand weaving on looms”;
• Ada Andriani, member of the board of the Pro loco Accademia Tegea di Chieti, with a presentation entitled “Dear Peppino: from the pride of his origins to his legacy as a master silk weaver”.

A convivial moment followed, together with readings from the correspondence between Giuseppe Lisio and Gabriele D’Annunzio, curated by the Associazione Libridine.

The event was accompanied by romances by Francesco Paolo Tosti and period musical pieces, performed by soprano Maria Rita D’Orazio and with piano accompaniment by maestro Fabio D’Orazio.

Photo credits: Valeriano Florio Photography