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April 02 , 2023
Thanks to the patronage and support of the Municipality of Valdobbiadene and the Consulta per la Cultura , the photographic exhibition "Children of the Islands" . An exhibition of photographs, in large format, the result of the curiosity and skill of Patrick Comiotto, a photographer and by profession, a sensitive lover of nature, from the mountain that he embraces in his climbs, to the sea that he loved knowing it gliding on his skin with a sailing boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean up to touch the atolls of the wonderful Indian Ocean.
Five years ago, on two business trips to Tanzania, in addition to having filmed and photographed the hinterland of this splendid nation, he was attracted by the context of Zanzibar, its capital "Stone Town" and in particular from Fanjove, an atoll part of an archipelago, formed by five islands, called Songo-Songo which takes its name from its main island. A "first sight" love for these environmentally splendid places, of a fragile nature that needs protection and that Comiotto has captured in images and films that have found a worthy welcome in the halls of the Ex-Opificio di Villa dei Cedri b>, formerly a 19th-20th century factory.
The inauguration was special due to the way in which it was held and the interventions that followed. The Mayor of Valdobbiadene Luciano Fregonese thanked Patrick Comiotto for having brought with his splendid photographs a world far from us and full of suggestions, warmly thanking the Ambassador of Tanzania Mahmoud Thabit Kombo for the presence and for having opened up possibilities for dialogue, including economic, with your country. The President of the Council for culture Lisa Comarella was happy for this exhibition and stated: “We have collaborated with great pleasure in setting up this important photographic exhibition which allows us to immerse ourselves in a unique and delicate that must be preserved. The wish is that the message launched by the artist Comiotto is collected and that paths of collaboration and mutual interest can be established with Tanzania.”
Unexpected, due to the warmth with which it was expressed, the heartfelt speech of the Ambassador of Tanzania Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, also representative of the Chamber for the Mpendae constituency in Zanzibar. “A big thank you for welcoming me to this beautiful area that I was able to visit in a short time, even if it deserves more knowledge. I met with great pleasure the Mayor and his delegation and then realized the riches and opportunities of these industrious and well organized places. The spirit of this cultural initiative has brought my heart closer to Valdobbiadene and by taking this opportunity I will bring all of Valdobbiadene to Tanzania and therefore I hope to be able to welcome you to my land".
After describing his hometown of Zanzibar where his parents live, he said: "If you go to Rome, after a coffee, I will give you a visa to go to Tanzania, which offers economic opportunities, here there are small and medium-sized companies such as here. Tanzania's foreign policy is not for conflict but for economic prosperity among the various nations. There are already important companies working in Tanzania from various Italian regions such as Bassano del Grappa. I thank Patrick very much who managed with his art to bring Tanzania to Italy in an incredibly beautiful way".
Particularly the traditional "ribbon cutting" which was replaced by the artistic performance of Bruno Griparich of "Officina Calligrafica", a pictorial ritual accompanied on the drum by Mauro Gatto. The numerous visitors, who expressed flattering opinions and appreciation for the quality of the images and photos, then tasted the culinary excellence of chef Giuseppe Agostini, a true master in the art of enhancing local products. There was also an auspicious toast with prosecco from the Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, served by the students of the DIEFFE School of Valdobbiadene and the musical accompaniment of the Band "Three Seeds" . 
However, Patrick Comiotto's exhibition is not an end in itself but aims to raise awareness of the environmental protection of Songo Songo and for this purpose various projects have been launched which need to be financed also through the partner of Crowd-Funding "Go Fund Me”. Related information can be found on the official website of the Project https://www.childrenoftheislands.it
Villa dei cedri,
ex-opificio
Valdobbiadene
Italy
