The exhibition is promoted by the Casa Don Bosco House Museum in collaboration with the Missionary Animation of the Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta and the CNOS-FAP Regional Vocational Training Board.
The exhibition’s central theme is the seventh commandment: thou shalt not steal. Massimiliano Ungarelli depicts the drama of child exploitation on canvas. Glimpses of children whose childhood has been stolen. During the visit, the visitor can do nothing but develop a critical view of these injustices as a counterpoise to exalting what, instead, should be normality: the dignity and ethical importance of work. The exhibition's title "the right reward, or merit" is meant to emphasize the values of a just and rewarding life in contrast to violence and deprivation.
The artist's works between the sacred and the profane narrate the suffering, tragedies, and injustices happening in contemporary society, inviting us to reflect and act. This particular sensitivity was noticed by Pope Francis, who not only mentioned the painter several times in public outings but also wanted to welcome him to the Vatican.
The program for the opening will include speeches by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime; the Director of the Don Bosco House Museum, Dr. Stefania De Vita; the artist, Massimo Ungarelli; the General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende; Fr. Marco Cazzato, in charge of Missionary Animation of the Salesians in Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Lithuania; and some young volunteers of Missionary Animation: Cecilia Verniano, Elena Menguzzo, Davide Mastropietro and Carola Poggio. Moderating the activities will be Antonio Labanca, a journalist and collaborator of the Salesian Mission Office of Turin, "Missioni Don Bosco".
Although it will remain open to the general public from October to December 2022, the exhibition will also include specific tours for schoolchildren in the period from October 10 to 22, 2022, the month dedicated to the missions, by booking at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Schoolchildren will thus have the opportunity to look at the world of work from a different perspective and reflect on the privileges and beautiful opportunities that life offers, despite taking it for granted. The exhibition will take place within the spaces of the Salesian Museum and the Salesian Historical Printing House, places that are especially evocative as a true testimony to Don Bosco's life.
"7 DON'T STEAL…" is also included in the program of the Festival of Migrants, in Turin from Sept. 9 to Oct. 27.
