The Ministry of Culture is the object of spasmodic attention. Advising Alessandro Giuli to call an exorcist, possibly a Jesuit, to the Roman College as soon as possible, the last few months have been terrifying, with raids inside the rooms and stories that have created personal dramas. The latest in chronological order concerns the resignation of the head of cabinet Francesco Spano: among other things, who yesterday visited the exhibition “Göbeklitepe: The enigma of a sacred place” at the Colosseum, created with the collaboration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and the Embassy of Türkiye in Rome, finds Spano’s name in the ministerial poster describing the «main actors» who gave life to the exhibition. There are those who attack Emanuele Merlino, others try to put Giuli himself on the grill, but the reality to be considered does not touch on the main topic: can a minister choose his trusted collaborators or must he be subject to external wishes?
Coveted seat like few others, that of culture, even if everyone forgets that the highest moment of power of that Ministry was reached with Walter Veltroni who held, above all, the position of vice-president of the Council, in the first government of Romano Prodi, making every act he performed at the Roman College was politically disruptive. Giuli, in command of the ministerial machine, came from Maxxi where the imprint of Giovanna Melandri, who was “queen” of that museum (with a salary of 208,301 euros in 2022), still appears difficult to erase today. And changing a damaged machine necessarily requires the assistance of those who were already inside. Cohabitation was born from that need. When yesterday, in Venice, presenting the Biennale magazine, Giuli deliberately smelled the paper, to the delight of bibliophiles who in that epiphany of the senses compensate for ferinity with the highest human capacity to transform raw material into a cultural symbol, it was was able to explain that profound vitality that is now missing from most of the protagonists of the debates: it is thanks to charisma that choices can truly be determined, and whoever makes them has the duty to capture popular sentiment.
Remembering that partisan pressure often prevents change. Meanwhile, moles are digging in the ministries. They come in, they listen, and then they come out with incredible amounts of information. Sometimes they take human form and sit directly at the table with the top exponents of the ministries, trying to “outsmart” the interlocutor, and then spread dialogues of all kinds through the press. What happened at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, to the detriment of the head of the department Adolfo Urso, is not understood in its gravity. Urso had to instruct his lawyers to present a complaint to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the clandestine recordings that took place during meetings “on topics of relevance for the State, at his office and that of the Chief of Staff”.
Without going into the merits of the use of what were once defined as “tapes”, the proliferation of technologies capable of capturing what is said within institutional walls requires adequate defense measures. When entering a Ministry you will have to put your mobile phones in a sealed envelope, as already happens for preview screenings of films from international majors. This could be the first solution to try to save the “sensitive contents” of conversations held inside the buildings of so-called power, already violated by Maria Rosaria Boccia with Ray-Ban camera glasses. In the end, the real victims of racial profiling, the subject of discussion in Europe regarding its Italian police forces, appear to be some ministers of the Meloni government.
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Interview with Cultural Affairs Expert Dr. Sofia Rinaldi on the Turmoil at Italy’s Ministry of Culture
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rinaldi. There has been a lot of attention surrounding the Ministry of Culture recently, especially following the resignation of Francesco Spano. What are your thoughts on the current situation?
Dr. Rinaldi: Thank you for having me. Yes, the Ministry of Culture is indeed facing significant challenges. Spano’s resignation highlights a deeper issue within the ministry – the tension between political expectations and the autonomy of the minister to select trusted collaborators.
Interviewer: Many are discussing the influence of external forces on Minister Giuli’s decisions. To what extent do you think this affects the functioning of the ministry?
Dr. Rinaldi: It’s crucial to recognize that political pressures can significantly hinder the ability of a minister to implement their vision. If ministers feel compelled to align with external interests rather than acting on their own initiatives, it can stifle creativity and effective governance in cultural affairs.
Interviewer: The recent exhibition ”Göbeklitepe: The Enigma of a Sacred Place” seems to signify an important collaboration with Türkiye. How might these international partnerships impact the reputation of the Ministry?
Dr. Rinaldi: Partnerships like these are vital. They not only broaden Italy’s cultural landscape but also enhance its international standing. However, those collaborations must be managed carefully to ensure they align with the minister’s vision and do not become a source of internal conflict, as we have seen with Spano’s involvement.
Interviewer: There seems to be a history of upheaval in this ministry, recalling past figures like Walter Veltroni. Do you think there is a way out of this cycle of drama within Italy’s cultural institutions?
Dr. Rinaldi: It requires strong leadership and a commitment to fostering a collaborative environment. The minister must prioritize genuine dialogue with staff and stakeholders, ensuring that changes are made thoughtfully rather than reactively. By building a culture of trust, Giuli can potentially break this cycle.
Interviewer: What do you think is the most important quality for a Minister of Culture to possess, especially in light of recent events?
Dr. Rinaldi: Charisma and the ability to connect with the public are essential. A minister must not only understand the cultural landscape but also possess the leadership skills to unite different voices within the ministry. An engaged and passionate leader can inspire collaboration and create a more vibrant cultural scene.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Rinaldi, for sharing your insights today. It’s evident that the future of Italy’s Ministry of Culture will depend on how it navigates these ongoing challenges.
Dr. Rinaldi: My pleasure. I hope to see positive developments soon!
Interview with Cultural Affairs Expert Dr. Sofia Rinaldi on the Turmoil at Italy’s Ministry of Culture
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rinaldi. There has been a lot of attention surrounding the Ministry of Culture recently, especially following the resignation of Francesco Spano. What are your thoughts on the current situation?
Dr. Rinaldi: Thank you for having me. Yes, the Ministry of Culture is indeed facing significant challenges. Spano’s resignation highlights a deeper issue within the ministry—the tension between political expectations and the autonomy of the minister to select trusted collaborators.
Interviewer: Many are discussing the influence of external forces on Minister Giuli’s decisions. To what extent do you think this affects the functioning of the ministry?
Dr. Rinaldi: It’s crucial to recognize that political pressures can significantly hinder the ability of a minister to implement their vision. If ministers feel compelled to align with external interests rather than acting on their own initiatives, it can stifle creativity and effective governance in cultural affairs.
Interviewer: The recent exhibition “Göbeklitepe: The Enigma of a Sacred Place” seems to signify an important collaboration with Türkiye. How might these international partnerships impact the reputation of the Ministry?
Dr. Rinaldi: Partnerships like these are vital. They not only broaden Italy’s cultural landscape but also enhance its international standing. However, those collaborations must be managed carefully to ensure they align with the minister’s vision and do not become a source of internal conflict, as we have seen with Spano’s involvement.
Interviewer: There have been reports of ongoing political tension and moles gathering sensitive information within the ministry. How does this environment affect ministerial operations?
Dr. Rinaldi: The atmosphere of distrust created by such espionage significantly impairs effective governance. If officials are preoccupied with fears of betrayal or leaks, it can disrupt the collaborative environment essential for cultural innovation. A focus on protecting sensitive discussions should not overshadow the ministry’s primary mission of fostering cultural growth.
Interviewer: What measures do you think should be implemented to protect the integrity of discussions in ministries?
Dr. Rinaldi: We may need stricter protocols on information security within governmental spaces, such as mandatory phone sealing before meetings. This can help mitigate the risk of sensitive information leaks. Ultimately, a culture of trust should be cultivated so that creative and strategic discussions can take place without fear of intrusion.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Rinaldi, for sharing your insights on the current state of Italy’s Ministry of Culture.
Dr. Rinaldi: It was my pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues.
