Jorasanko to get gallery on Tagore’s Italy travels

Kolkata: Italian consul general Gianluca Rubagotti and Rabindra Bharati University VC Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury announced the opening of a permanent gallery on Rabindranath Tagore’s travels to Italy at Jorasanko Thakurbari. The two signed an MoU on Tuesday to enhance cultural exchanges between the two countries, showcasing Tagore’s Italy connection.Expected to open shortly, the gallery will focus on Tagore’s three trips to Italy with a display of photos, Italian newspaper clippings, documents and Tagore’s handwritten messages about his travels. The gallery room has been divided into three parts. The first part will highlight Tagore’s arrival in Italy and his voyages to and around Italy on a steamer ship. The second part will house photos and documents and the third part will be an outdoor installation. “During his first trip to Rome, Tagore stayed at Grand Hotel, now the Ritz. When climbing up to the museum at Jorasanko, the windows resemble those of the hotel,” said architect and designer for the gallery, Sonia Guha.Tagore’s first visit to Italy was in 1878, when he was 17 and on his way to England. His next visits were in 1925 and 1926 after receiving the Nobel. The gallery will also feature Tagore’s itinerary for each day of his travels and a map of the cities he visited there. RBU VC Basu Ray Chaudhury said, “We know about Tagore’s visits through his diary entries. His subsequent visits helped improve relations between Italy and India. Our bilateral relations with Italy is gaining strength. Ahead of the Italian PM’s India visit early next month, the MoU is important.” This was the second MoU signed by Jorasanko Thakurbari in connection with the Italian Consulate. In October 2022, Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of Fondazione Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, historic home of the Italian poet D’Annunzio, had visited Kolkata. The MoU recognised the twin status of Thakurbari and Fondazione Il Vittoriale degli Italiani as two of the most-visited “house museums” of the world. Rubagotti said about Tuesday’s MoU, “This project represents a culmination of one journey and the start of a new one. Studying Tagore and Italy is like studying philosophy, history, poetry and music.”
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.