Info & Contacts
Sede. Via Sedivola 51, Torre del Greco (NA), 80059
Tel. +39 081 0488393
Mail. info@assocoral.com
C.F. 80150410639
Monte Carlo , April 1991
The Association Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature was one of the 21 Institutes and Universities that had joined the “Rosso Corallo” project, born as a result of the 2nd FAO Consultation in Torre del Greco, coordinated by Assocoral and chaired by the late Fabio Cicogna.
One day, I received a phone call from Eugène Debernardi, president of the association. After the usual pleasantries, he put me on the phone with Commander Philippe Roy, Director of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. He asked if he could come visit me in Torre the following week.
"I want to talk to you about a project I have in mind…"
So, he came to Torre and told me about this project: to organize a scientific exhibition at the Oceanographic Museum featuring various types of corals, explaining to the general public the difference between those that can be worked and those that cannot. He envisioned creating a cave similar to those found in the Mediterranean, filled with coral branches hanging from the ceiling, with special effects so that visitors would feel as though they were underwater. Then, for about a month, he wanted to host the “Festival du Corail”, showcasing the wonderful pieces crafted by our great artists.
It was a fascinating idea, and we immediately agreed to participate.
We entrusted Caterina Ascione with the task of selecting the pieces to be sent. Caterina did an excellent job.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Prince Rainier together with his children and was a great success with both the public and the critics. There were over 100 articles in Italian and French newspapers and magazines (including L’Osservatore Romano) and about ten TV features on both Italian and French networks.
At the conclusion of the event, Philippe Roy wrote to us stating that the exhibition had been a success, visited by 350,000 people. And note: each visitor paid an entrance fee of about 20,000 Italian lire!
Exhibition “Jewels of the Sea” in Vicenza, June 1991
