Italian Culture Minister Dario
Franceschini announced on Tuesday that 80 million euros of
funding had been approved for large-scale cultural projects in
Italy including renovation of Rome's Colosseum and Florence's
Uffizi Gallery.
Italy's superior council for cultural assets and landscape
has approved the allocation of the funds for large-scale
projects in 2015-2016, Franceschini said, hailing the decision
as a turning point for the country's culture sector.
"Investments in cultural assets are finally back," he said,
adding that the funds would go towards completing major museums
and projects concentrated in northern and central regions.
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other
country in the world but its leaders have been criticised in
recent years for failing to allocate enough funds to cultural
upkeep, with scandals breaking out over collapses of ancient
ruins at sites such as Pompeii.
A total of 18.5 million euros of the most recently approved
financing will go towards rebuilding the arena of the Colosseum
in Rome and restoring its floor. Another 18 million euros will
bankroll the so-called Great Uffizi project in Florence, which
aims to renovate the gallery and rearrange some of its
masterpieces.
Other sites that will receive funds include the Certosa di
Pavia monastery complex, which is set to gain a
seven-million-euro injection of cash for its restoration. Rome's
Papal arsenal will also receive seven million euros to go
towards a contemporary art project.
Bassano del Grappa's Ponte Vecchio and the ancient stone
sculptures of Mont'e Prama in Cabras in Sardinia will also
benefit.
On the museum front, Turin's Polo Reale museum will receive
seven millions euros which will go towards improvements
including upgrades to the royal gardens and the Chapel of The
Holy Shroud.
Another seven million euros will go to the National Museum
of Italian Judaism and the Shoah in Ferrara, to speed up its
completion as visitor demand grows.
A museum of ancient ships that is being set up in Pisa will
receive five million euros so its construction can be
accelerated.
Other museums around the country which will receive
significant funds include the museum of contemporary art of
Palazzo Ardinghelli in Aquila, the National Archaeological
Museum in Aquileia and the archaeological area of the Roman
Villa in Spello.
The latest package adds to another 490 million euros in
cultural investments, supported by the European Union, which are
destined for the five southern regions of Basilicata, Calabria,
Campania, Puglia and Sicily.
Those funds will help restore or extend the Naples
Archaeological Museum, the Reggio Calabria Archaeological
Museum, the Reggia di Caserta royal palace, the Sibari museum
and archaeological park, and the medieval Swabian castles in
Bari and Trani, among others.
All the funds will go to "a unified strategy for the
safeguarding of the national heritage and the promotion and
development of culture as per Article 9 of the Constitution,"
Franceschini said.
Italian premier Matteo Renzi said last week that he was
counting on the culture sector to create jobs, particularly for
young people, and help the country recover from a deep economic
crisis.
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