After centuries of formal and structural professional isolation, due to an extremely individualized and rather esoteric way of managing the profession, GLB (the Group of Stringed Instrument Makers from Bologna) came into being on 26th October 1998, also thanks to the sensitivity and willingness of the Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna which gave logistic supplies and the official seat.

Connected to the Italian Stringed Instrument Makers Association (ALI), GLB early members were stringed instrument professional makers working in Bologna and its outskirts: they joined together to continue the ancient Bolognese tradition of stringed instrument making and as its heirs- they are aware they have to develop and promote activities aiming at recovering and increasing the value of their cultural and professional peculiar heritage.

Moreover GLB intends to share its experience with all those who are passionately and continuously interested in theoretical and operative themes referred to stringed instrument making traditions in Bologna and in the region of Emilia Romagna- as well as in the making restorations and history of all musical instruments (chordophones, aerophones and so on) relating to these traditions.

A great number enthusiastic people ask spontaneously to join this Group, thus confirming the great interest in this kind of association and its worthy general aims.

In the meantime, after its association deed and usual formalities, GLB had adopted a Charter which settles general objects, association offices and their length as well as different association typologies- and Regulation which control the association life.

Following two great categories of general purposes, GLB intends:

a) to improve its relations with musical and cultural institutions in this region, becoming one of their preferential partner in order to carry out plans relating specifically to stringed instrument making experience (exhibitions, lectures, series of lessons, periodical meetings, realization and publication of historical and scientific researches and so on );

b) to improve professional and friendly relations among members through meeting occasions and thematic thorough investigations; by means of a community work, to develop and promote ancient stringed instrument making traditions, with reference to which each member acts and works as a consequence of his cultural and professional experience.

Slowly but methodically (regular meetings, work sharing and so on ) GLB begins to get the means necessary to develop its project, hoping its realization will be an opportunity of cultural and human growth for the whole community.

Gabriele Carletti