Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Italy to become International Coordinator of Artistic Restoration

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Italy is asking for a Formal Mandate from the European Union (EU) for that which it already does informally, but will afford it greater recognition to better coordinate projects internationally.

 

 

RESTORATION: RUTELLI, "EUROPEAN MANDATE" FOR ITALY

 

Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - (AGI) 

On behalf of the Italian Prime Minister's office

October 18, 2006 

 

A real "European mandate" defining Italy's role as a leader in artistic restoration and assigning Italy the function of international coordinator in this sector.

 

This is what Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli is about to propose to the European Culture Ministers on November 13th, an announcement made by Rutelli during the Roman conference for 65 years of the central restoration institute coinciding with the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of his founder, Cesare Brandi.

 

"I will ask European ministers in Brussels to acknowledge Italy not only for its leading role in restoration work but in terms of a European mandate, a sort of cultural diplomacy to coordinate European restoration projects all over the world".

 

During his speech the Minister several times praised the quality and leading role of Italian restoration art recognised all around the world. A work "carried out with passion, competence and rapid intervention, a model of great modernity and efficiency.

 

The results of the central institute are extraordinary in the definition of new methods and the training of new qualified workers", he added. He underlined his proposal of a "single coordination institute for restoration, in which the lower taxes on investments in restoration works can be of great help.

 

We have thousands of small handicraft enterprises being world leaders; we must help them to have a coordinated system in Italy growing on an international level, also because there is a growing demand". Rutelli listed some works currently under way, again a proof of Italy's role in this sector: the restoration in of the pavilion of supreme harmony in Beijing, submarine interventions in Baia and Pisa "the only institution worldwide competent on wet wood".

 

"The government is engaging in the protection of this Italian resource, not always with sufficient financial support and reliability of instruments available. We are fighting every minute for the protection of cultural interests in the budget planning". (AGI) .

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=

200610181743-1229-RT1-CRO-0-NF82

&page=0&id=agionline-eng.italyonline

 

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