Yes, the Mercadante theater can become historic. Here’s the strategy

Cerignola. The Saverio Mercadante municipal theater fully complies with the regulatory criteria, still being carefully defined, for the attribution of the title of “historic theatre”. Recognition is the objective on which the municipal Department of Culture and the artistic direction of the theater are working.

“We have developed a candidacy dossier on the basis of the rules approved in the Chamber and we are awaiting the end of the legislative process to formally transmit it to the Ministry of Culture”, states the Councilor for Culture Rossella Bruno.

“It is important to point out that, to date, the institution of historic theaters is still a bill approved in the Chamber which must be examined by the Senate for its modification or conversion into law. It is equally important to underline that the Municipalities, including that of Cerignola, were not consulted and did not perform any function in the composition of the first list of historic theaters included in the text approved by the deputies. The over 400 theaters mentioned are exclusively due to amendments presented by the deputies”.

“I personally spoke with representatives of the Government and Parliament, obtaining attention and interest in the candidacy of the Mercadante theatre”, adds the artistic director Savino Zaba.

“Our theater respects all future ‘historicity’ criteria and to obtain this prestigious qualification it will be sufficient to submit a documented request. The same one that will be presented by the many other theaters in the province of Foggia and Puglia not currently included in the list. All we have to do is wait for the final approval of the law.”

“The entire city of Cerignola has appealed to Minister Sangiuliano, so that the Mercadante theater also has the right recognition, considering its architectural value and its being the beating heart of the cultural life of our city. It is a historical monument of inestimable value and one of the symbols of the very identity of the Cerignola community”, concludes the mayor Francesco Bonito.