by MK
CRT Foundation of Trieste has been active in financing cultural initiatives and events for almost twenty years now. We interviewed the president of the foundation, Tiziana Benussi, on the meaning it plays in the life of Trieste.
Thank you for taking the time to meet us. So what is CRT Foundation?
The foundation was born many years ago from the funds of Cassa di Risparmio, an important institute for Triestini. CRTrieste Foundation is concerned exclusively with social aims and promoting economic development, and with all sectors of social utility: from the conservation and development of artistic heritage and cultural activities, to scientific research. Not to mention education and training, health and assistance for the weaker categories of society.
When did you become part of the Foundation?
I started working here in 1998 and in 2017 I became the president of the foundation. It was a life turning event for me as I was able to live the city in a completely different way, as I had never done before.
Wonderful.
Unfortunately, our profitability has gone down due the current economic situation in Italy. However, we have made some important investments in recent years. We renovated the pescheria (Salone degli incanti-ed.) and Eataly which is owned by us. Believe it or not, the costliest thing was to eliminate the fish odor from Salone degli Incanti. We also gave funds to build the Aquamarina therapy pool.
You’re definitely making a difference in the city of Trieste.
I believe to be extremely lucky as I learned so much more about the city since I’ve been with the Foundation. We’ve always been close to the institutions but of course in the past two years the health care absorbed a lot of our resources. We gave many funds to the Asugi during the pandemic years. In the past we’d have 12m euro and now we only have 3, so of course we need to choose who to give funds to. Of course, we support theaters like Verdi and Rossetti. And some events, like Barcolana young as tourism is very important for the city.
You’re also an attorney.
Yes, I am an attorney first and foremost. I never left my job as it gave me enormous freedom while working for the foundation. I have been an attorney for 46 years now.
You have a very important role for the city.
I am eternally grateful to those who believed in me and chose me to represent the Foundation. I didn’t think I’d be able to live the city the way I do now.
Are you a Triestina?
As most Triestini, I am mixed. My grandfather was from Abruzzo and my grandmother was from Austria. And my other grandad was Croatian.
Why is Trieste living an important moment?
Trieste used to be in a fantastic situation before the pandemic started. The economic situation of FVG had the great growth thanks to the Port of Trieste, which hasn’t been touched by the pandemics luckily, and the touristic activity which of course supported the economic development of our city. There was an atmosphere of great positive anticipation. Of course, pandemics has slowed down a lot of things.
What’s the future of our city? One would one choose to move here?
Trieste is a safe city, and I say it as a lawyer. There has never been much criminal activity. I think it’s because there are just two entrances to Trieste – Costiera (the coastal road) and Superstrada (highway) so it’s very easy to block the exit of the city. Plus, the climate is incredible, besides bora wind which I hate (laughs-ed.).
Agreed.
There’s the sea and hills. The city is a mix of people who are open and not very open. The most open people are the ones who have origins from elsewhere. In the past 45 years of work I have met many people from around Italy and many of them decided to retire in Trieste because it is so easy to fall in love with the city.
