Italian
At a crucial moment for the enhancement of the national heritage, the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, sent a message of strong encouragement to the newly formed Anci Culture, Museums, Enhancement of Historical Assets and UNESCO Sites Commission, which met for the first time in the capital
ROME. The municipalities, true custodians of the deepest roots of our identity, represent the “living body of national culture.” This statement, made by the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, resonates particularly strongly in the context of the first meeting of the new Anci Culture, Museums, Enhancement of Historical Assets and UNESCO Sites Commission. The National Association of Italian Municipalities (Anci), with its over a century-long history, confirms itself as the fundamental safeguard that, in synergy with other institutions, catalyzes the interests and aspirations of the territories, promoting their development and defending their unique characteristics.
The inaugural meeting of the Commission, chaired by Massimiliano Giammusso, took place today in the prestigious Sala Spadolini of the Collegio Romano, a symbolic place of Italian culture. The message from Minister Giuli, read to those present, expressed “great joy” and defined the event as an “important milestone and, at the same time, a beautiful starting point.” This meeting marks a significant step towards a closer and more structured collaboration between the Ministry and local administrations, recognizing the irreplaceable role of municipalities in safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage.
Giuli continued his reflection by emphasizing how “municipalities are the soul of universal Italy, the social and institutional masterpiece of its millenary civilization.” This vision highlights the extraordinary wealth derived from the “multiplicity of local geniuses” that, over the centuries, has generated a “unique cultural constellation” in the world. Each village, each city, with its traditions, dialects, artistic expressions, and historical peculiarities, contributes to defining a complex and fascinating national identity that represents us “in the most authentic and profound sense” on a global level.
The Minister then recalled the irreplaceable role of municipalities as “guardians of a significant part of our heritage.” This guardianship manifests itself in the management and enhancement of a wide range of assets: from civic museums to historical libraries, from archives that preserve the memory of communities to theaters and auditoriums that host live performances, to spaces dedicated to artistic and cultural production. These places are not mere containers, but true vital centers that animate the cultural life of cities and towns, making culture accessible to all citizens.
The Ministry’s commitment, as reiterated by Giuli, is aimed at “offering new opportunities for access to culture and art throughout Italy.” The goal is clear: to spread “seeds of community” across the territory that can sprout and actively involve every citizen in the enjoyment and enhancement of the “great beauty” that constitutes the Italian cultural heritage. This is an inclusive approach, aimed at overcoming territorial disparities and ensuring that culture is not a privilege for the few, but a right and an opportunity for all, strengthening the sense of belonging and collective identity.
The Minister’s message concluded with a strong encouragement: “Dear friends of Anci, continue to do your best and know that in this area the Ministry of Culture is and will always be by your side.” This final statement is not just a promise of support, but an invitation to proceed with determination in the work undertaken, with the awareness that the synergy between the central government and local autonomies is the key to a future in which culture continues to be the engine of development and identity of our country. Therefore, the first meeting of the Anci Culture Commission in Rome marks the beginning of a collaborative path that promises to be fruitful for the protection and promotion of the vast and invaluable Italian cultural heritage.
