by Raimondo Montesi
Councilor Eliantonio, in the last few days there has been talk about the Ulisse Fest and the two events at the Amphitheater curated by Popsophia, while ‘Tipicità in blu’ will begin shortly. Can we say that the ‘spring-summer’ season of major events has begun?
“Tipicità in blu will open the season because this year it will be the laboratory of preparatory contents for the 2024 Sea Festival. No more summers with drop-in events as in the past, this year the city will not be deserted”.
What does the opening of two fundamental places such as the Roman Amphitheater and the ancient Port, so linked to the city’s history and identity, represent?
“The councilor for culture Anna Maria Bertini is working on the Amphitheater project. Last year’s preview was very positive. They are two iconic and identifying places which in themselves represent an element of great charm and attractiveness. Our task is to enhance them filling them with content”.
In particular, are there already other names that could perform at the Porto Antico? And what ‘address’ do you want to give to this site? Will it also be able to host popular pop and rock concerts or are there limits imposed by security requirements?
“The Port is first and foremost a place of work. Setting up this project was very complex because there are many safety requirements. There is agreement with the Port Authority on every aspect, the Arena can be modulated according to depending on production needs. It can accommodate up to five thousand people, or up to two thousand. There will be further news soon.” For large events, continuity is needed, in order to retain the public and make Ancona a point of reference also at a national level. Are there sufficient resources to guarantee this continuity?
“Resources are a central theme, but credibility towards artists is even more so.
Last September we started from nothing, from year zero. Entering the big concert circuits is a long job, the main Italian festivals have twenty-year histories. For ticketed events we envisage the use of mainly private sponsorships.”
Many miss the seasons of the great concerts at the Stadium and at the PalaPrometeo ‘Rossini’, when international stars such as Rem, Peter Gabriel, Dylan, Skunk Anansie also came… Do you think a collaboration could arise with private entities that would revive that period?
“The Del Conero stadium will be the protagonist again next year with the Pinguini Tattici Nucleari. The winter season of the Teatro delle Muse and the Palaprometeo was very positive. Ligabue, Levante, Concato, Tony Hadley, just to name a few. We remain in indoor facilities geographically competitive. We must make the change of pace in the summer.”
Is Ancona ready to welcome large events from a hospitality point of view? For a long time, people have complained, for example, that there aren’t enough hotels in the city.
“Our ambitions go hand in hand with some important investments that are planned in the city centre, from the former Palazzo del Mutilato to the former Roma e Pace hotel. The more we try to change the vocation of the city the more we are able to attract investments in the hotel industry”.
A personal dream of yours? That is, if you could, who would you like to bring to Ancona?
“Our dream is to see Ancona permanently among the major national concerts after years of anonymity. It is a clear mandate objective of the mayor Daniele Silvetti’s administration”.
