Bottura Supports the Crowdfunding for Bernini's Masterpiece

Massimo Bottura, the Chef of the famous Italian restaurant Osteria Francescana which ranked 3rd on The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards this year, is one of the major spokesmen and supporters of the crowdfunding campaign to save the bust of Francesco d'Este I at the Estense Gallery in his hometown, Modena.

The initiative, which will welcome and thank donors either with Made in Italy products or a visit to the region, will help rebuild this territory majorly affected by last year's earthquake. The damage to the region’s artistic and cultural institutions was extensive, and many have yet to reopen to the public. The Estense Gallery  in Modena, which houses an incredible collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, is one such institution. If Massimo Bottura and other important personalities are already showing their support, today starts a campaign involving Americans in a crowdfunding to demonstrate their love for Italy on the occasion of the Year of the Italian Culture in the US and help protect this magnificent sculpture, an important example of Italy’s remarkable cultural and artistic heritage. 

The fundraising initiative has been organized in the U.S. by Friends of FAI, at the request of FAI-Fondo Ambiente Italiano, committed to support this project. The funds will benefit a project undertaken by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, in conjunction with the "2013: The Year of Italian Culture in the United States". To learn more about initiative or donate please visit the official website.