From Hospitality to the Culture of Dialogue
From Experience to Vision
Over time, this journey has developed through international relationships, cultural programmes and a growing awareness of the role that cultural heritage, in its many forms, can play in fostering mutual understanding, cooperation among communities and peacebuilding.
Today, this experience continues through an international network of individuals, institutions and territories that share the belief that dialogue between cultures is a fundamental resource for the future.
Beyond borders
The experience of hospitality in Florence marked the beginning of a journey that would extend far beyond tourism. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the changes that transformed Europe in the early 1990s created new opportunities for encounters between people and communities long separated by political, ideological and cultural borders. An idea began to take shape: mutual understanding can help overcome mistrust and stereotypes, while cultural heritage can become a common language for dialogue between cultures. Daily encounters with people from different countries and traditions strengthened this conviction and laid the foundations for the establishment of the Foundation.
Encounter between cultures
To give continuity to this experience, the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco was established. From the outset, the Foundation has promoted opportunities for encounter among young people, professionals, universities, institutions and communities from different cultural backgrounds, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding through cultural heritage as a shared language that can bring people and nations closer together.
Life Beyond Tourism®
Building on the experience gained over the years, Life Beyond Tourism® took shape as a paradigm that sees travel as an opportunity for encounter and dialogue. Cultural heritage is no longer seen simply as something to visit, but as a living resource through which residents and visitors can meet, learn from one another and build relationships based on respect for cultural diversity. Life Beyond Tourism® marked a decisive transition: from the practice of hospitality to a cultural vision with an international dimension.
Palazzo Coppini
With the opening of Palazzo Coppini, the Foundation’s vision found a home. The palace became a space for encounter between cultures, learning, international cooperation and cultural heritage. It is home to the Foundation, the Museum of the Sacredness of Expressions of Gratitude and activities involving people and institutions from around the world. Palazzo Coppini is where dialogue takes shape through concrete experiences of encounter and collaboration.
International community
Over the years, the Foundation’s international network has continued to grow, bringing together universities, public bodies, cultural organisations, professionals and communities in over one hundred countries. Through programmes, events, learning activities and international projects, a growing community has emerged, united by a commitment to cultural heritage and dialogue between cultures. This international dimension has become one of the Foundation’s defining features.
Heritage for Building Peace
The experience gained over time has led to a new awareness: cultural heritage can contribute not only to dialogue, but also to peacebuilding. Through the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal, the Foundation invites institutions, professionals, businesses and communities to recognise cultural heritage as a means of fostering mutual understanding, cooperation and sustainable development. Dialogue between cultures thus becomes a shared responsibility and a concrete contribution to building more inclusive and cohesive societies.
A look towards the future
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