1976-2026 The first fifty years of three excellences of Alba culture Radio Alba – La Torre Bookshop – Magog Association

The Giulio Parusso Cultural Association turns ten and celebrates with three cultural leaders from Alba, each reaching a remarkable milestone—half a century since their founding—and looking to the future with renewed commitment. It was 1976 when Radio Alba, the La Torre Book Cooperative, and the Magog Association were founded. With a talk by Edoardo Borra, we will discuss that period of great social and political transformation, which saw the birth of three organizations destined to become undisputed pillars of the city's cultural fabric. In a context of extreme intellectual vitality, paralleled by demographic expansion and economic growth, the city launched a variety of initiatives thanks to the commitment and generosity of numerous groups and associations. Radio Alba was born in a context of great openness in Italian society, despite the turmoil of opposing extremisms. The end of the RAI monopoly unleashed dozens of local broadcasters. Those that succeed in establishing themselves as small businesses will be able to endure, and now they must be able to look to a rapidly changing world in which radio still has much to offer. During the evening, videos and images of the most significant moments will be shown. The "La Torre" book cooperative was born from the will of a group of people deeply committed to political work, which resulted in the opening of a cooperative bookshop for the city. This experience was guided by a fundamental principle: to understand reality in order to transform it. Over the years, the bookshop has closely followed the changing political landscape, always remaining faithful to its core mission: to be a place of discussion, culture, and civic and political engagement, in the highest and noblest sense of the word. The Magog Association, in a shifting socio-political climate, was founded with the intention of discussing, debating, and challenging dysfunctional and flawed systems. With a satirical-ironic approach, music and theatre become tools for exploring a broader humanity. Streets, squares, and theaters: perfect settings to proclaim, with a masked yet powerful voice, the importance of taking an active role in human affairs. Magog will bring a piece of history, the costumes of its most significant shows, and will use its traditional tools: irony and audience engagement. The three presidents: Claudio Rosso of Radio Alba, Fulvio Prandi of the La Torre Cooperative, and Nicola Conti of Magog APS, will pass the word to the witnesses of these fifty years, coordinated by Giuseppe Gobino of the Giulio Parusso Cultural Association. The evening will be an opportunity to learn the secrets of their success and to hear from the protagonists the story of these fifty years, through stories, videos, and photographs. The event will be enlivened by the music of Doriano ei suoi Crackers and interludes by the Gruppo Magog.