"In 1907, my 22 years old father Mario leaves Italy, his native country, with two of his friends in order to join America. Just like lots of his compatriots, he first arrives in France on foot by roads of mountains. A long way starts then in the direction of Marseilles, a trip made of halts in farms and construction sites, a trip to live on and save money for his hoped embarkation. He finally gets to Avignon where he obtains a residence and work permit. In Avignon, he meets the one who is to become my mother. Exiled like him from Italy, she is working in silk spinning mills.

Their wedding is celebrated on October 9th 1909. Of this union, 4 children are born. I am the youngest of them, born in 1922.
The miseries and the pains of the 14-18 world war passed, my father opens, in 1927, a small workshop of engraving and sculpture in the town centre of Avignon.
Through the creation of the SOLFRINI Marble workshop, the beautiful days have just begun for the whole family. As soon as he gets 13 years old, my brother starts to work with my father. And it is then my turn to join the family firm.


Taking evening courses at the Arts college helps us after the War to resume work with courage and will.
Very quickly, we feel the need to expand the workshop and acquire new machines. For this purpose, first of all we invest the garden of my father. However, space is still missing and we are obliged to invest in the nearby grounds to get to a surface of 350 m2. In 1965, as space is still lacking, we settle down to Morières-les-Avignon where we still are today.


My father, who dies in 1969, has thus had the pleasure to see his firm on the right track. Just like it is now with my grandson, Bruno, who continues his work. This is the fourth generation of marble masons who really have a passion for art and materials.
I cannot conclude without honouring my mother, departed too early, who hewed the well-being of the family with the love and the courage of a "mom".


 
Clément SOLFRINI
April 10th 2004