President Sergio Mattarella on Friday
appealed to save Italy's cinemas and bookstores amid dwindling
audience attendances and fewer in-presence book customers due to
online competition.
Speaking at the presentation of the David di Donatello awards,
Italy's Oscars, the president said "many cinemas are continuing
to suffer, even after COVID, and there are many cities that no
longer have accessible movie theatres.
"It is an issue that present evident social effects and cannot
be considered solely from the commercial standpoint.
"Movie theatres are a meeting place."
He added, on preserving bookstores, "with the same commitment to
assuring the constant vitality of the civic fabric, book shops
must be preserved and attention must be placed on those artistic
and entertainment sectors that present to more limited audiences
but express content of high vakue and quality".
Mattarella also underscored the importance of safeguarding
freedom of expression.
"Great attention must be given in particular to the expression
of young artists, who must try, experiment and therefore get
experience and grow," he said.
"The entry of new generations produces new richness.
"It expresses freedom, that freedom to be ensured also to those
who do not share our tastes, to those who think differently".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
