Crowd at the inauguration of the MIRS.

A packed Gozzi Theatre for the institutional greetings, over 500 people outside the museum ready to cross the threshold for the first time into what, because of its uniqueness, aims to become one of the main museums dedicated to radio not only in the Northeast but across the entire country: this happened on December 21 in Pasiano di Pordenone during the inauguration of the new MIRS, the Interactive Museum of Radio and Society, a project strongly supported by the local government. Its roots go back several years, and it has now finally fulfilled the dream of giving an esteemed location to over 400 historical radios donated by researcher and collector Pier Giorgio Vendramini.

The list of civil and military authorities who, in person, via video, or through messages, wanted to be part of this event led by the mayor of Pasiano di Pordenone, Marta Amadio, was long. This included greetings from the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, and the Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, who were unable to attend because they were engaged in Rome for the vote on the financial law but sent their written greetings, as did the President of the Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, offering their best wishes for the new museum.

Present, however, was Honorable Emanuele Loperfido, who from the Gozzi stage greeted the opening of this exhibition, which, alongside the historical radios, includes experimental stations, educational workshops, and informational and interactive materials to explain how the invention of the radio changed our society. Enthusiastic words also came from the Vice Governor and Regional Minister for Culture, Mario Anzil, who in a video message emphasized the ability to transform a private donation into an opportunity for growth for the region’s cultural heritage. Similar words came from Regional Councilor Markus Maurmair, who, while thanking the administration for its efforts, highlighted the importance of dialogue between local municipalities to create a network and also announced new funding specifically for small museums in the region, aimed at helping them continue their journey in enhancing the territory through cultural promotion. Greetings were also sent by the former mayor of Pasiano di Pordenone, Edi Piccinin, and the current municipal councilor for Culture, Martina Vendramini.

Finally, there were thunderous applause for the video greeting from a distinguished guest: Elettra Marconi, daughter of the great inventor of the radio, Guglielmo, as well as for the “father” of the museum, Pier Giorgio Vendramini, without whose foresight and generosity the MIRS would not exist today. The museum project was then described by the scientific director Mosè Battocchio of Antique Radio Magazine and Gian Franco Pizzinato.