Behind the Scenes at the Duomo

BEHIND THE SCENES: CELEBRATING THE DUOMO AND ITS PEOPLE

By Margaret Durnien                                                                                                                                                            Photo by Geoffrey Poncelet

On April 22nd, 2015, our Writing for Digital Media class got to experience an exciting look into the life of an Italian journalist on the job.

Beatrice Santini, a journalist and instructor at FUA, is currently working on a book about the Opera del Duomo in collaboration with Aria Advertising: photographers Michele Pecchioli and Andrea Cresci, video maker Ilario Fabbian, and graphic designer Letizia Vago.

This project will be presented in donation to Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Florence next November. Although it was difficult to arrange a time to corporate the class, like all good journalists, Professor Santini found a way to make it work.

Seizing the opportunity, the class got to see firsthand what goes into a media project. Seeing professionals at work, taking photos, and conducting interviews with cathedral workers was chaotic but showed us students what a day at work is really like. "I believe that the experience was different from the usual and interesting, especially since there was the opportunity to emphasize certain aspects of writing that are very important," said Santini. 

The product of all this hard work will be the book. The volume will focus on the Opera del Duomo, founded in 1296 to oversee the construction of the new cathedral and its bell tower. It will inform readers of the history, primary task, and embellishment of all the monuments in its care.

The Opera of Santa Maria del Fiore, commonly known as the Opera del Duomo, is not just a beautiful architectural complex made of stone and marble. This book hopes to give readers a living perspective of this ancient institution and shine light on the people that have for over seven hundred years practiced traditions and kept the cathedral’s unique spirit alive for future generations to come and be a part of while learning the special history it holds.

The book will feature photos designed as a tribute to the 97 people who make the Duomo the special place in all aspects that it is today. The protagonists of the project are the artists, employees, and custodians portrayed in their work environments.

“Our final goal is to create a collection capable of witnessing, through the story of small episodes of real life, the great adventure in which these people partake. We are convinced that all those who, in various ways, have participated in the construction of the Dome and its preservation over the centuries have contributed, in their human imperfection, to the infinite perfection which belongs only to God," writes Santini.

The book will be a visual treat that will let the images do the talking along with descriptions on the history and workers relationship to the cathedral. This exciting project will be an exceptional display of the Duomo and all who work to preserve it and even better, an unique gift fit for the Pope.