Cultural Association Gaetano Osculati
"...I applied myself to this: that my travels should no longer be merely a vain pasture for my innate curiosity and restlessness, but, directed toward another purpose, might contribute to the advancement of science and the benefit of society". - Gaetano Osculati, 1854
Named after the daring explorer from Brianza, born in 1808 in S. Giorgio al Lambro (MB), the Gaetano Osculati Cultural Association made its debut on the stage of the Biassono civic hall on a cold night in December 2012. With a memorable theatrical performance written by young local citizen Claudia Porta (author of 'Sbramami'), the association immediately made its goals clear: to build bridges of international collaboration and showcase Italian talent, starting with the rediscovery of the history of its explorers.
"Unsubsidized by the liberality of any government, unsupported by the encouragement and counsel of scientific societies, I embarked upon so adventurous a journey, equipped only with those limited means provided by private fortune; comforted solely by the hope that from my hardships and sacrifices some renown might reflect upon my native land, and some benefit accrue to those branches of natural history to which I have consecrated my entire self". - Gaetano Osculati, 1854
The calendar of initiatives features no fewer than 30 events per year, including presentations by globetrotting souls, tourism boards, and trailblazing books, as well as in-depth explorations of travel culture and themed performances. Following in the domestic and international footsteps of Italian explorers, nationwide tours and re-mappings of frontier itineraries are also organized periodically, establishing twinships with museums and institutions. Since October 2018, to mark the 210th anniversary of Gaetano Osculati's birth, the most important memoir by the explorer from Brianza has been available once again, published by Luni Editrice under the title 'Viaggio in Amazzonia' and edited by Alberto Caspani.
On November 17, 2020, the Casa degli Esploratori project was officially launched, subsequently taken over by the Odosophia.it platform following the dissolution of the original board of directors of the Gaetano Osculati Cultural Association on December 21, 2022.