by InTrieste
As part of the eleventh edition of the “Archivi Aperti” initiative, the Civic Museums of History and Art in Trieste will open the doors of their photographic archive to the public on Wednesday, October 22, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Claudia Colecchia, head of the museum’s Photographic Archive at Palazzo Gopcevich, will lead the guided tour. Attendance is free, but reservations are required via email at cmsafototeca@comune.trieste.it.
The tour will focus on the USIS collection, assembled between 1939 and 1946 and donated to the city of Trieste by the American Reading Room. The collection includes thousands of images documenting World War II and the postwar reconstruction period, featuring photographs from across Italy and other international locations. Visitors will be invited to consider photography not only as a historical record but also as a tool for shaping collective memory.
“Archivi Aperti,” launched in 2016 by Rete Fotografia, aims to highlight the historical and cultural significance of photography while providing public access to Italy’s archival collections. Over the years, the program has expanded significantly, drawing larger audiences and incorporating more archives into its network.
The initiative is supported by a number of photographic associations, including AFIP International, GRIN – Gruppo Redattori Iconografici Nazionale, and TAU Visual, all members of Rete Fotografia. Since 2017, the program has also explored broader contemporary themes in photography, reflecting ongoing transformations in the field.
Rete Fotografia, founded in Milan in 2011, became a nonprofit in 2016 and continues to organize exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, and other events. Its mission is to foster critical engagement with photography, reaching both professionals and the general public.
For more information, visit www.retefotografia.it, www.fototecatrieste.it, or www.triestecultura.it, or call +39 040 6754068.
