Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump cancels Putin meeting, says "didn't feel right"
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.

Meloni's government eyes 'Italianizing' cultural institutions: WashPo

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Aug 2023 19:35
3 Min Read

Foreigners have for some time allowed Italy's most prestigious arts and museum institutions to flourish by bringing their own innovative touch to the industry.

  • x
  • Tourists take photos in front of Michelangelo's
    Tourists take photos in front of Michelangelo's "David statue" in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, March 28, 2023 (AP)

A report by the Washington Post on Monday revealed that the Italian government is moving to introduce new measures aimed at Italianizing high-ranking positions in the art gallery and museum industries. 

For nearly a decade, foreigners have occupied some of the highest-ranking positions in Italy's landmark galleries, museums and opera houses.

But since Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assumed the premiership, conservatives have been expressing a preference to hire more nationals as museum directors. 

Foreigners have for some time allowed Italy's most prestigious arts and museum institutions to flourish by bringing their own innovative touch to the industry.

But as contracts are nearing their expiration date, foreigners are now waiting to see if there are any chances for renewal. 

Read more: Meloni proclaims 'hour of the patriots has arrived' in address to Vox

While some consider the government's plans as progressive, others argue that the measure risks a return to the cronyism and politicking that plagued Italian museums in the past.

Others also say that the move may revive fascism in the country. 

“We are … smack dab in the middle of a neofascist revival,” historian Tomaso Montanari, a member of the Uffizi’s Gallery’s steering committee, told WashPo.

Meloni has dismissed on several occasions critics that labeled her a neofascist. 

In her view, her measures are intended to give conservatives a voice in political climate dominated by the left. 

Related News

Bomb targets investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci’s car near Rome

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano told WashPo he expected some foreigners to still run Italy’s cultural institutions, but he also raised to attention the necessity of establishing a "balance" in certain positions.

"In your opinion, would the French ever allow an American, or an Italian, to direct the Louvre?" he asked. "It would be very difficult."

Read more: Italy hosts immigration conference to extend Tunisia deal

Meloni's Brothers of Italy party and its right-wing allies won the general elections in Italy in October 2022.

Her victory marked the first of a neo-fascist since WW1 in Italy. 

In May 2023, The Guardian reported, citing sources, that former chief executive Carlo Fuortes resigned as CEO of RAI broadcaster due to Meloni's government exerting pressure to "cancel Italy's antifascism footprints."

It added that left-leaning talkshow host Fabio Fazio and his co-presenter Luciana Littizzetto, a comedian known for her monologues tackling conservatives, left after their contracts for the popular Che Tempo Che Fa program were not renewed.

More departures are anticipated in the following months.

"With every change of government, there’s a change in governance at Rai," a source at the broadcaster pointed out, as cited by The Guardian.

"The only difference now is that it is more ruthless, whereas before it was perhaps a little bit more, shall we say, gentlemanly."

Fuortes, who left the state broadcaster a year before his term expired, was quickly replaced by the government-nominated Roberto Sergio, a Rai manager whose political opinion "changes with the wind" depending on who is in charge, according to a source.

Giampaolo Rossi, a former Rai board member endorsed by Meloni's Brothers of Italy neofascist party, has been appointed as director general.

Read more: Italy's Meloni eyes anti-migration alliance, launches 'Rome Process'

  • Giorgia Meloni
  • Italy
  • Brothers of Italy
  • Fascism

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Pro-Palestinian activists protest at Lafayette Park across from the White House to mark the approaching one year anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza, Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Arts and Culture

Jewish figures calls for sanctions on 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Activists from the Foreign Press Association during a panel calling for press freedom in Gaza, April 11, 2025 in London, England. (X/ @FPALondon)
Politics

FPA demands Israeli court to allow int'l journalists access to Gaza

Matsapha Correctional Complex is seen in Matsapha, near Mbabane, Eswatini, Thursday July 17, 2025. (AP Photo)
Politics

Cuban man deported from US to Eswatini launches hunger strike

Russia President Vladimir Putin conducts a strategic nuclear forces exercise via videoconference from the Presidential Situation Centre at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Politics

Putin oversees ICBM, cruise missile tests in strategic nuclear drill

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS