«Toasts has an important classical history to enhance, regardless of recognition of Italian Capital of Culturetitles often awarded more for political geography than for merit”: he states this Vittorio Sgarbiart critic, former undersecretary of Culture regarding the desire of the mayor Giuseppe Marchionna to nominate Brindisi as Italian Capital of Culture 2027.
Do you think Brindisi has a good chance of receiving this recognition?
«I have a high regard for Brindisi, I come there more willingly than Lecce, because it is less chaotic. The city has interesting monuments and has its own dignity, I believe that carrying out cultural initiatives is important but I would not rely too much on this idea of the then minister Franceschini of the Italian Capital of Culture. I remember that the title was born in contrast to Matera which had obtained the recognition of European Capital, to overcome the disappointment of other cities such as Ravenna, Urbino, Bergamo, Mantua. Franceschini invented this “miserable” formula which awards 1 million euros compared to the 56/58 million of the European title.”
So do you think that applying is not a good idea?
«The candidacy can be accepted without having too many illusions since the commissions are often made up of capricious people. With the last minister, the cities administered by the centre-right tend to win, with the previous one the centre-left cities won. If someone wants to compete, do it but I wouldn’t put too much faith or desire into it. The candidacy is more useful for promoting the city, so in this sense the mayor has done well.”
A focus of the dossier will be Brindisi, gateway to the Mediterranean, what do you think should be aimed at?
«Undoubtedly classical civilization must be highlighted, the Tempietto di San Giovanni al Sepolcro comes to mind which is very beautiful and the Ribezzo archaeological museum. The farms in the province also deserve a look.”
The first name for the artistic direction is Chris Torch who contributed to the European title for Matera, do you have any suggestions?
«In Matera the winning artistic direction was that of Paolo Verri. I believe that in the planning to be presented to the evaluation commission, there is a need for more than telling the truth, a winking content. We could also think of involving Albania given that today it has a president who is also an artist, playing on an art biennial that connects Albania with Brindisi.”
Given that he was the promoter, is the proposal to bring a Maxxi branch to Brindisi moving forward?
«It would have been an excellent idea but I have bad relations with the president of Maxxi and I don’t know if the project went ahead. I suggested it when I was in government, it is certainly a viable hypothesis. But I want to add that the experience of the art gallery made in Brindisi by Vescina nel Tempietto should be valued because it was truly original, against the banalities of contemporary art. I would also suggest talking to a formidable artist called Theimer who could work in a classical vein by connecting his experience with the classical tradition of Brindisi.”
If UNESCO recognition for the ancient Appian Way came, would it also play in Brindisi’s favor for this candidacy?
«Yes there is no doubt, it is very important for the history of Brindisi in general. While as regards the candidacy for Capital of culture I believe, I repeat, that it is a useful and effective review more as news than as a result. I wish the city and Mayor Marchionna my best wishes. Going back to my initial reasoning, since the Brindisi administration is centre-right, it could be favored at this moment.”
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