Italian
At the Candiani Center, an event dedicated to the poet and essayist, a leading figure in Venetian culture and former president of the Prize in several editions.
MESTRE (VE) – The Wednesdays at the Mestre Painting Prize series continues with an event dedicated to Diego Valeri (Piove di Sacco, 1887 – Rome, 1976), poet, essayist, and translator, younger brother of the painter Ugo, and a leading figure in 20th-century Venetian cultural life.
The event takes place today, Wednesday, October 1st, at 6:00 PM in the Seminar Room of the Candiani Cultural Center, as part of the program accompanying the exhibition of the finalist works of the Prize. Opening the evening will be Christiano Costantini, president of the Circolo Veneto and organizational coordinator of the Prize, while the keynote address will be delivered by Matteo Piccolo, curator at the International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice – Ca’ Pesaro.
Valeri served as president of the Mestre Painting Prize in the 1959, 1961, and 1964 editions, contributing to its growing prestige and strengthening its ties with the city. His academic and institutional career included roles as professor of French language and literature, Superintendent of Fine Arts in Venice, and president of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti between 1969 and 1973. His work brought him into dialogue with some of the most influential figures in Italian and European culture, establishing him as a key reference point for multiple generations.
Born in Piove di Sacco in 1887 and graduating in Literature from the University of Padua, Valeri combined a passion for poetry with a strong civic and cultural commitment. His literary work, marked by clear sensitivity and an essential, refined language, was closely linked to his intense activity as a translator and essayist. Through this work, he helped spread knowledge of foreign authors in Italy and promoted intercultural dialogue.
With this tribute, the Mestre Painting Prize renews the tradition of Memorial Recognitions, which in recent years have honored Ernani Costantini, Corrado Balest, and Giampaolo Domestici. This initiative is not only a homage to figures of the past but also a bridge to the present: a way to keep alive the memory of those who contributed to shaping the city’s artistic and cultural identity, while also offering younger generations of artists and scholars an opportunity to engage with individuals who successfully combined tradition and innovation.
In this sense, the tribute to Diego Valeri is not merely a remembrance, but an invitation to rediscover his intellectual legacy and to recognize its continued relevance—especially at a time when dialogue between the arts and society is more necessary than ever.
