Resumen Este trabajo reconstruye los primeros años de la masonería italiana en Buenos Aires. La importante comunidad italiana en Argentina trajo el nacimiento de la logia Italia. Inesperadamente, esta obtiene el reconocimiento del Gran Oriente de Italia, lo que inicia un proceso de colonización masónica. A pesar de la masonería argentina y el frecuente paso de ‘hermanos’ y logias entre las Obediencias, la masonería italiana logra consolidarse, fundando, además un diario: Fascio Massonico Italiano (1891). La influencia masónica sobre la colonia italiana fue significativa, tanto que varias iniciativas filantrópicas fueron financiadas o administradas por las logias (el Hospital Italiano, por ejemplo).

Abstract This paper traces the early years of the Italian Freemasonry in Buenos Aires. The existence of a significant Italian community in Argentina led to the establishment of the Italia lodge. It unexpectedly obtained the Grand Orient of Italy’s recognition thus launching a process of Masonic colonization. Despite the complex relationships with Argentine Freemasonry and the frequent shifting of Brethren and lodges amid Obediences, the Italian Freemasonry grew stronger eventually founding a newspaper: the Fascio Massonico Italiano (1891). The influence upon the Italian colony was such that different philanthropic initiatives were financed or managed by lodges (such as the Italian Hospital).

Sommario:L'articolo analizza l'impegno della massoneria italiana in ambito educativo. Tra il 1868 e il 1925 le logge all'obbedienza del Grande Oriente d'Italia promossero e sostennero numerosi enti. A titolo di esempio, vengono prese in considerazione tre grandi città: Torino, Milano e Roma. Si tratta di centri urbani diversi tra loro ma caratterizzati da un numero elevato di iniziative messe in campo e dalla volontà di sperimentare nuovi modelli educativi di matrice laica (educatori, istituti, ricreatori, scuole serali e università popolari).

Abstract:The present paper focuses on the Italian Freemasonry's engagement in the educational field. From 1868 to 1925, the lodges under the Grand Orient of Italy fostered and helped many educational establishments. The article considers the following three cities: Turin, Milan and Rome. These important urban centres were different but shared a large number of initiatives and were willing to experiment with new secular learning models (Boarding schools, institutes, leisure courses, evening classes and Popular Universities).