RSI on display: the history of Ticino that every cross-border worker lives (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

From February 16th to 22nd in Airolo, RSI exhibits archive photos from the 60s to the 2000s. A free opportunity to understand the Canton's economic and social evolution.

Contesto

TL;DR - RSI opens archives to show Ticino's history - Exhibition 'Una Storia' showcases 40 years of transformations - Traveling exhibition stops in Leventina, Airolo - Free admission, open from Feb 16th to 22nd, 2026 ## Key facts - Evento: Una Storia - Italian-speaking Switzerland in RSI archive photographs - Luogo: Caseificio del Gottardo, Via Fontana 3, 6780, Airolo - Data inizio: Monday, February 16th, 2026 - Data fine: Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 - Orari: Every day from 09:00 to 20:00 - Costo: Completely free - Vernissage: Friday, February 19th at 18:30 - Periodo storico: 1960s to 2000 The Italian-speaking Swiss Radio and Television (RSI) is opening its archives to showcase the Canton's collective memory. The initiative, titled 'Una Storia - Italian-speaking Switzerland in RSI archive photographs', is a traveling exhibition that traces forty years of transformations, from the 1960s to 2000, through iconic shots. For those who cross the border every day to work in Lugano, Mendrisio, or Bellinzona, this is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of a territory that is not just a workplace, but a community with its own distinct evolution. The exhibition stops in various locations, and the next one is particularly evocative. The sixth and final stop will be in Leventina, at the Caseificio del Gottardo in Airolo. A symbolic place that combines tradition and modernity, just like the images on display. ## Event Details in Airolo - Where: Caseificio del Gottardo, Via Fontana 3, 6780, Airolo - When: From Monday, February 16th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 - Hours: Every day from 09:00 to 20:00 - Cost: Admission to the exhibition is completely free. - Opening Event (Vernissage): It will be held on Friday, February 19th at 18:30. Attendance is open to everyon...

Dettagli operativi

Looking at these photographs is not just an exercise in nostalgia. For a cross-border worker, it means observing the roots of Ticino's current economic fabric. The images from the '60s and '70s document the construction and industrial boom, a period when Italian labor was crucial for the Canton's growth. One can almost see the foundations of the companies and infrastructures that today employ tens of thousands of people from Lombardy and Piedmont. ## Beyond Photography: Economic Evolution The shots from the '80s and '90s tell a different story: the transition to the advanced service sector, the growth of Lugano's financial center, and the development of the service industry. This shift profoundly changed the skills required and the type of work available, leading to the emergence of new professions and opportunities. > The exhibition offers a historical perspective on the evolution of the Ticino labor market, an essential context for anyone working in this Canton today. Understanding the transition from a production-based economy to a service-based one helps interpret current dynamics and future challenges. 📊 Ticino in Transformation (1960-2000): - 1960s-70s: Strong industrial and infrastructural growth. Increased demand for skilled and unskilled labor. - 1980s: Opening of the Gotthard road tunnel (1980), consolidation of the banking and fiduciary sector. - 1990s-2000s: Service sector boom, development of technology hubs, and establishment of Ticino as a hub for fashion and pharmaceuticals.

Punti chiave

Visiting this exhibition is not just a cultural activity for the weekend, but an investment in understanding your work environment. Understanding the social and economic history of Ticino allows for better dialogue with colleagues and employers, interpreting local news, and feeling more a part of a community that extends beyond the company gates. ## Practical Tips for Your Visit 💡 Plan your trip: Leventina offers magnificent landscapes. A visit to the exhibition at the Caseificio del Gottardo can be combined with a tasting of typical products or a nature walk. 💡 Take advantage of the opening event: The event on February 19th is an excellent opportunity for networking in an informal setting and hearing the story behind the images directly from the curators. ⚠️ Don't forget to book: Although admission is free, for the opening event, it is highly recommended to register on the rsi.ch/eventi website to secure a spot. The RSI photographs show an economy in full evolution, with salaries and purchasing power following complex paths over the decades. Today, understanding your own value in the Ticino job market is just as crucial for successfully navigating your career as a cross-border worker. Before planning your cultural outing, why not clarify your financial situation? Use our net salary calculator to get a clear picture of what you're entitled to, considering deductions, withholding taxes, and the franc-euro exchange rate. (Source: Tio.ch, 18.02.2026)

Punti chiave

[{"q":"When will the exhibition 'A History - Italian Switzerland in the archive photos RSI' in Leventina?","a":"The exhibition will be held from Monday 16 February to Sunday 22 February 2026."},{"q":"What is the historical path of the Ticino economy as shown in the exhibition 'A History'?","a":"The exhibition highlights the transition from the strong industrial growth of the 60s and 70s, to the opening of the Gotthard tunnel and consolidation of the banking sector in the 80s, up to the boom of the tertiary sector and development of technological poles in the 90s and 2000s."},{"q":"How to get to the Caseificio del Gottardo di Airolo by public transport from Milan?","a":"For those departing from Milan, the fastest route is the EuroCity Milan-Zürich train (about 3 h) with a change in Bellinzona for the RegioExpress to Airolo (15 min). Alternatively, the FlixBus Milan-Bellinzona bus (2 h 45 min) arrives at Bellinzona station, from where the S10 line leaves every 30 min for Airolo. The dairy is a 5-minute walk from the station."},{"q":"Is it necessary to book for the vernissage on February 19 and how do I do it?","a":"Reservations are recommended for the vernissage on February 19 at 6:30 pm. Simply log in to rsi.ch/eventi, enter your name, surname and cross-border badge number, then confirm by 15 February. Registration is free of charge and guarantees a seat in the room, where you can meet curators and other cross-border workers."},{"q":"What are the networking opportunities for cross-border commuters during the exhibition in Leventina?","a":"During the exhibition in Leventina, two networking moments are organized: the vernissage on 19 February, with 30-40 seats reserved for cross-border workers, and the afternoon of 21 February, when the dairy hosts a discussion table on jo...

Frequently Asked Questions
When will the exhibition 'A History - Italian Switzerland in the archive photos RSI' in Leventina?
The exhibition will be held from Monday 16 February to Sunday 22 February 2026.
What is the historical path of the Ticino economy as shown in the exhibition 'A History'?
The exhibition highlights the transition from the strong industrial growth of the 60s and 70s, to the opening of the Gotthard tunnel and consolidation of the banking sector in the 80s, up to the boom of the tertiary sector and development of technological poles in the 90s and 2000s.
How to get to the Caseificio del Gottardo di Airolo by public transport from Milan?
For those departing from Milan, the fastest route is the EuroCity Milan-Zürich train (about 3 h) with a change in Bellinzona for the RegioExpress to Airolo (15 min). Alternatively, the FlixBus Milan-Bellinzona bus (2 h 45 min) arrives at Bellinzona station, from where the S10 line leaves every 30 min for Airolo. The dairy is a 5-minute walk from the station.
Is it necessary to book for the vernissage on February 19 and how do I do it?
Reservations are recommended for the vernissage on February 19 at 6:30 pm. Simply log in to rsi.ch/eventi, enter your name, surname and cross-border badge number, then confirm by 15 February. Registration is free of charge and guarantees a seat in the room, where you can meet curators and other cross-border workers.
What are the networking opportunities for cross-border commuters during the exhibition in Leventina?
During the exhibition in Leventina, two networking moments are organized: the vernissage on 19 February, with 30-40 seats reserved for cross-border workers, and the afternoon of 21 February, when the dairy hosts a discussion table on job opportunities in the tertiary sector. By participating, you can exchange contacts with local companies and discover specific job offers for the Italian workforce.

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