One million Swiss francs for the Teatro dell'architettura

The Fondazione Silvio e Marianne Tarchini has confirmed, this morning in Mendrisio, the contribution of one million Swiss francs to support the construction of the Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). The new building, which was designed by Mario Botta, was conceived to encourage cultural debate in the field of architecture and visual arts, in close relationship with the other disciplines of the University and with the surrounding region.

The ceremony was hosted by Silvio and Marianne Tarchini, the attorney Matteo Rossi, the Rector of USI Boas Erez, the Secretary General of USI Albino Zgraggen, and the President of the Fondazione Teatro dell'architettura Mario Botta. In his opening address, USI Rector Boas Erez expressed gratitude for the significant contribution, "With this gesture, the Tarchini Foundation shows profound awareness of the topic of cultural advancement in our region, and has made an important contribution to this great project, in which a total of 15,5M Swiss francs was invested, a third of which by the University. We hope that this gesture will set the example and inspire other parties interested in supporting our activities and the overall growth in the region.

Mario Botta said, “The donation made by the Fondazione Silvio e Marianne Tarchini to USI for the creation of the Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio, in addition to its economic and financial value, represents an important contribution towards the cultural growth of a territory that over the centuries can boast the art of building with architects, master builders, decorators and artists hailing from this region. The generous participation of the Foundation is an act of great attention to the "Genius Loci" of our country".

For their part, Silvio Tarchini and his wife Marianne said, "We are pleased to have found in the USI Academy of Architecture, and especially in the project of the Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio, the perfect fit to the purpose of the Foundation. As a non-profit organization, the Foundation was established a few months ago and aims at supporting universities and vocational schools in projects related to their development or enhancing their value in the overall Swiss academic landscape. It intends moreover to foster and support initiatives of public interest in Ticino and to allow young students from Ticino to continue studying at the university level. “This gesture – they concluded – represents a stepping stone of what our Foundation wants to do for our wonderful Canton and especially for our young people who want to pursue with academic studies".