In Venice, a double recognition pays homage to the some glass beads, one of the main artistic traditions of the city, and to the women who continue to practice it with mastery. The Municipality of Venice has recently obtained funding of 56.000 euros from the Ministry of Culture for the protection of this ancient art, which since 2020 has been included in the list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The contribution is the result of an agreement, signed last year, which identifies the Municipality as the reference body for the "Art of the Glass Pearl" to allow access to the funds.
A tribute to teamwork
Together with the Civic Museums Foundation, the Common has been one of the key figures in the promotion of a series of projects aimed at supporting this artistic heritage. As stated by Ermelinda Damiano, President of the City Council, “the inscription in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, in 2020, was the recognition of the great teamwork carried out by the Municipality of Venice and the Region”. Prestigious events, such as the Salone dell'Alto Artigianato Italiano or the Venice Glass Week.
An archive rich in history for a promising future
Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Culture, a project will be launched cataloguing and census work of the different types of beads and production methods, with the aim of creating a detailed archive. This documentary corpus will be an essential tool for valorizing glass beads, ensuring their conservation and dissemination, both for experts in the sector and for the general public.
The protection of traditions such as the art of glass beads goes beyond the simple preservation of precious objects: it means preserve a human heritage made of skills, passion and knowledge handed down from generation to generation. These ancient crafts are not only part of the history of Venice, but represent the cultural identity of the city and its deep connection with art andhandicraft. Protecting and enhancing this heritage means ensuring that these skills continue to live on, inspiring new generations.
Sources: veneziatoday.it, live.comune.venezia.it
