A Journey through Time: Students from Beijing Explore Stoppani’s Legacy
Lecco, 16 October 2024 – Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of a day at school, I imagine the kind of rigorous academic adventure that involves a surprising number of naps and questionable cafeteria food. However, about twenty students from Beijing University took a rather more ambitious approach by tracking the footsteps of Antonio Stoppani, the legendary naturalist from Lecco, on the two hundredth anniversary of his birth. Talk about putting the ‘go’ in geology and the ‘woo’ in who needs a holiday!
Accompanied by the illustrious Andrea Tintori, a former professor of Paleontology at the University of Milan, these curious explorers stomped their way through the stunning peaks of Lombardy looking for rocks and, you know, perhaps the odd ancient fossil or two—because who doesn’t love a good fossil? They even ventured into the heart of the Grigne Mountains, the marvels of Val di Mello, and other picturesque locations that aren’t half bad for a selfie. Honestly, their Insta posts must be envious of the scenery!
“Historians, writers, engineers have spoken about Stoppani… but if anyone wanted to see gods fossils where should it go?” Professor Tintori said, and hold onto your hats as I break this to you—people in Beijing were actually listening! These students dedicated ten solid days to endurance exercises in the name of science—elevating the concept of ‘student life’ to a whole new level of sweaty enthusiasm. Who knew ‘geology’ could be the latest extreme sport?
Our brave geology warriors even checked out the small church of San Calimero, because, obviously, nothing says “I love paleontology” quite like a church. The tour, as one might expect, was littered with fascinating rock outcrops and methods of extracting fossils because – let’s be honest – nothing captures the imagination quite like an ancient snail shell, right?
But wait, there’s more! The expedition didn’t stop at just one scenic view. They sauntered around Monte San Giorgio, explored Val di Mello and Valmasino—at this point, you have to question whether the real field research was simply how many valleys they could visit before needing a snack break. Then they rolled down to Grigna, properly dubbed ‘the land of rocks,’ and it was there, at places like Pialeral and Baiedo, that they surely questioned whether they had mistakenly signed up for geology instead of a rock-gathering competition.
The grand finale? Gazing out over the stunning views of Bellagio and the beautiful tip of Tremezzo, while contemplating the vast differences of the two shores of the lake. It might not have been as life-changing as finding a rare mineral, but it certainly made for a lovely postcard moment!
In the end, our young scholars’ expedition concluded at Saint Martin behind Lecco—a proper full-circle moment, if ever there was one. You only get one chance to say “I studied fossils and I did it with style!” But what’s even more astonishing is that the Beijing University students have cultivated a sense of camaraderie with professor Andrea Tintori over the years, which only proves how strong the bonds of science can be—even without a lab coat!
Stoppani, a man ahead of his time, penned “Il Bel Paese” (The Beautiful Country) and became the first great scientific communicator in Italy—and dare I say, Europe. His work was so influential that, even two centuries after his birth, his thoughts resonate clearly across continents. Who’d have thought good old Stoppani had a fan club in China!?
So here we have it, a lovely fusion of Italian history and Chinese enthusiasm; a beautiful symphony combining our past with our present and, perhaps, an ode to all things geological. Bravo, Beijing! Bravo, Lecco! If you’re not inspired to hit the great outdoors after reading this, you’re definitely doing it wrong.
Lecco, 16 October 2024 – From China in the footsteps of Antonio Stoppanion the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great naturalist from Lecco. About twenty students from the Beijing Universityaccompanied by Andrea Tintoriformer professor of Paleontology at the University of Milan, has traveled far and wide through the Lombardy peaks, from Grigne, at the Val di Melloto touch the rocks and places where the author de The Beautiful Country (1876) carried out his studies.
“Historians, writers, engineers have spoken about Stoppani… but if anyone wanted to see gods fossils where should it go?”, asks Professor Tintori. A message that must have reached Beijing more strongly than in Lecco, with the Chinese students dedicating ten tiring days to field research and the geology of the lake.
Students of Pekin University at the small church of San Calimero, in Valsassina
“We took a tour of Monte San Giorgio studying the outcrops, then two days in Val di Mello and Valmasino – explains the paleontologist from Lecco, author of excavation and research campaigns that have seen him involved all over the world -. Then we went down to Grigna, in the Pialeral area, then Baiedo.
The tour then continued on Bellagiowith the view of the beautiful tip of Tremezzo and the two shores of the lake which are geologically very different from each other. A very important walk was made in the limestone massifs of Exinowhich for Stoppani were one of the main objectives. He had collected his fossils right there. The study then concluded on Saint Martin behind the city of Lecco”.
For several years, students of Beijing University have started a field research project in Italy, thanks to their friendship with professor Andrea Tintori and the importance of a figure like Antonio Stoppani. With “Il Bel Paese“ Stoppani became the first great scientific communicator in Italy and also in Europe. It was a great success and was used as a textbook in all schools to unify the language. A character who, two hundred years after his birth, is more current than ever. Even in China.
