THE stunning story of the mysterious caetani family
Sveva, Ofelia and Leone Caetani, 1921
PRIVATE TOUR AND LUNCH, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 @ CAETANI CENTRE, VERNON, BC
Noon - 3:30 PM (Lunch starts at Noon, Tours at 1:30 pm)
THIS TOUR IS EXCLUSIVE TO KCIC MEMBERS AND GUESTS - ONLY 30 TICKETS AVAILABLE!
Noon - 3:30 PM (Lunch starts at Noon, Tours at 1:30 pm)
THIS TOUR IS EXCLUSIVE TO KCIC MEMBERS AND GUESTS - ONLY 30 TICKETS AVAILABLE!
Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. And that is certainly the case with the Caetani story. Leone Caetani was Italian nobility, carrying the titles Duke of Sermoneta and Prince of Teano. In 1921, he rebelled against the rise of fascism and, together with his mistress Ofelia Fabiani, their three year old daughter Sveva and a paid companion from Denmark, Inger-Marie Jüül, they left that life behind and moved to Vernon, BC.
The story doesn't end there. By 1935, the family had lost most of their wealth and, tragically, Duke Leone died of cancer on Christmas day in 1935, leaving Sveva and Ofelia behind. The shock proved too much for the fragile Ofelia, who suffered a breakdown and would never leave their property in Vernon again. For 25 years, the three women secluded themselves inside their home.
With Ofelia's passing in 1960, Sveva had to rediscover the outside world. And she did so in her own unique fashion, going to university, becoming a teacher and creating a stunning collection of 47 large watercolour paintings called Recapitulation.
The story doesn't end there. By 1935, the family had lost most of their wealth and, tragically, Duke Leone died of cancer on Christmas day in 1935, leaving Sveva and Ofelia behind. The shock proved too much for the fragile Ofelia, who suffered a breakdown and would never leave their property in Vernon again. For 25 years, the three women secluded themselves inside their home.
With Ofelia's passing in 1960, Sveva had to rediscover the outside world. And she did so in her own unique fashion, going to university, becoming a teacher and creating a stunning collection of 47 large watercolour paintings called Recapitulation.
JOIN US ON A SPECIAL VISIT TO CAETANI CENTRE
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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, together with the Caetani Centre, is pleased to present a very special private tour and lunch at the Centre. You'll hear the story of Sveva, Ofelia and Leone first hand, see the carefully preserved home and a special collection of their private belongings, get a glimpse of their glamorous life before tragedy struck, and try to imagine 25 years of self-imposed solitude within those very walls. The tour ends with a visit to the Caetani Gallery, where a selection of paintings from the Recapitulation series are on display.
Before the tour, join us for a picnic lunch on the grounds (included in your ticket price), catered by Uprooted Kitchen and Catering. Lunch will include sandwiches, wraps and sides, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert get your tickets now!
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LNFI Presentation on the Caetanis
On January 19, 2022 we were pleased to welcome Susan Brandoli, Executive Director of the Caetani Centre, who did an online presentation of the Caetani Centre. The presentation is available on YouTube. |
