On the 130th anniversary of the Tartini monument, Piran paid homage to the "soul of Piran"

Piran celebrated the 130th anniversary of the unveiling of the Giuseppe Tartini monument with a tribute to the “soul of Piran.” The event featured music, light projections, and an invitation extended to representatives of 35 municipalities listed in the 1896 census. On the Tartini Square, visitors gathered to commemorate the violinist and composer, whose statue was unveiled on August 2, 1896, drawing nearly 5,000 attendees over a day-long celebration. The event marked the culmination of the Tartini130 project, which connects concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs throughout the year. The mayor of Piran, Andrej Korenika, used historical records from the city archive to invite representatives from all 35 municipalities that participated in the original festivities. He emphasized that Tartini is not merely a local figure but an European cultural icon, noting that his music teaches us there are no boundaries. According to reports from the Primorske Novice, numerous representatives from municipalities in Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia responded to the invitation, though the exact number of participating towns was not disclosed. Undermayor Christian Poletti described Tartini as the “soul of Piran,” highlighting how the anniversary holds special significance for the city. The evening opened with a concert performed by the Orchestra of the Opera House Foundation Giuseppe Verdi from Trieste, led by conductor Mojca Lavrenčič, with Italian violinist Massimo Quarta as a soloist. Following the concert, a multimedia spectacle featuring light projections took place, while the stage also welcomed the Elektro Big Band, Izidor Leitinger, Raiven, and Masayah. Admission to the event was free. The statue of Tartini had originally been planned for the bicentenary of his birth in 1892 but was postponed for four years due to two reasons: the silting of the old Piran harbor and the death of the sculptor’s wife, Ida Lessiach. As explained by museum curator Duška Žitko, the Venetian sculptor Antonio Dal Zotto returned to Piran after the harbor became impassable and selected a new location for the statue. It was placed at the intersection of a street leading to the church of Saint Jerome rather than in the center of the square. The celebrations on August 2, 1896, lasted from morning until night and concluded with fireworks. The event featured performances by the united municipal orchestras and participation from representatives of 35 municipalities. A new violin bow, modeled after the original, was also presented as part of the jubilee. The previous one had been damaged, and the new version was funded through a participatory budget initiative. The restoration work was entrusted to conservator Jernej Mali and specialist from the Slovenian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The Tartini130 project continues throughout the year, encompassing concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs involving domestic and international partners. According to the municipality, its goals include preserving and promoting Tartini's heritage, supporting young musicians, developing cultural tourism, and fostering cross-border cooperation. The project follows the tradition of previous major commemorations, such as Tartini250, which marked the 250th anniversary of the composer's death in 2020, and Tartini330, dedicated to the 330th anniversary of his birth in 2022. Key highlights of this year’s program included the International Tartini Competition, which brought young violinists, pianists, and chamber groups to Piran in May, and an exhibition by museum curator Duška Žitko on Tartini’s musical legacy. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Tartini Festival, which has maintained and showcased the composer’s musical legacy for four decades.