Turin Book Fair kicks off and here are the first controversies. The very first debate concerns Vittorio Sgarbi: the art critic denounced the cancellation of his presence at the Turin event. The former undersecretary for Culture was supposed to present his book on Michelangelo “Stupore e fear” (published by La nave di Teseo) on Sunday 12 May. “The publishing house reassures me that it is not a question of personal censorship (for which to shout against the regime like Scurati) but of an unwritten rule which provides that those who are candidates for elections (I imagine of any type) under a level playing field cannot present a book”the version of Sgarbi, candidate for the next ones Europeans as an independent on the lists of the Brothers of Italy.
A strange and absurd situation, he added, considering that the Book Fair is in Turin while he is a candidate for the European elections in southern Italy. Sgarbi remarked that he had not missed the appointment for thirty-six years, certainly encountering electoral opportunities:“The coercive measure with its restrictive interpretation also extended to non-televised occasions, for which the level playing field was created, is a disturbing signal for the recognized opposition between politics and culture, of which I have been a victim in recent times”. It is a sad moment for Italy, he continued, as it establishes harmful incompatibilities and, through prohibitions and limitations, instead of guaranteeing equal rightsimposes false duties.
Sgarbi’s complaint sparked various reactions. First and foremost that of the minister Gennaro Sangiuliano: the head of Culture hoped that his former undersecretary“may he always present his books everywhere”. However, the position taken by the director of the Book Fair is clear Annalena Benini: “We follow the rules of the electoral campaign, of course. So the political candidates, it seems to me also a question of elegance, cannot present the books, but the Salon is open to all and we will welcome everyone with joy”.
Further updates coming soon.
