Memorandum of understanding between MiC, the Puglia Region and the Municipality of Taranto for the management of the "Italian Mediterranean Biennial"

It was signed on April 24, in Rome, at the Ministry of Culture, a memorandum of understanding between the MiC, the Puglia Region and the Municipality of Taranto for the organization and stable management of the international cultural artistic review "Italian Mediterranean Biennial”, which will be held in the Taranto capital.

At the center of the agreement is promotion and structured valorisation of the city of Taranto through interinstitutional cooperation and overcoming the fragmentation of initiatives in the cultural field.

The protocol was signed by the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, by the Mayor of the Municipality of Taranto, Rinaldo Melucci and by the delegate for the Puglia Region, Bianca Bellino. In video-connection the President of the Region, Michele Emiliano. Present, among others, were the MiC Chief of Staff, Francesco Gilioli; the General Director of Contemporary Creativity of the MiC, Angelo Piero Cappello and the director of the MarTa museum in Taranto, Stella Falzone.

The agreement highlights the city of Taranto's relationship with the sea and its identity deriving from its central position in the Mediterranean basin.

The Ministry of Culture, with the Region and the municipal administration thus recognize the common interest in intercepting and promoting stable activities, events, as well as innovative projects in the field of arts and other languages ​​of contemporary creativity linked to the Mediterranean Sea.

Among the declared objectives also the valorisation of the Italian regions bordering the Mediterranean, enhancing the deep intercultural, interreligious, economic and commercial ties with other countries and regions in the area, as well as the strengthening and promotion of research, supporting Italian talents and excellence in the fields of art, architecture, of photography, design and fashion.

"The Mediterranean Biennial project is fundamental for our cultural policies because we think that culture should be spread throughout the territory and that Southern Italy can represent an extraordinary opportunity for socio-economic development. Taranto is a city that has a great history in its DNA and an innate vocation for culture. It's just a matter of organizing modern and effective cultural infrastructures. The Mediterranean Biennial aims to be a great attractor capable of looking at the entire Mediterranean area and Africa. For my part, there will be maximum commitment and drive on this project", stated Minister Sangiuliano.

"The Mediterranean Biennial - declared President Emiliano - it will be a milestone in the rebirth of Taranto. The project had been ready for some time, but without the contribution of Minister Sangiuliano we would not have updated it so quickly. Thanks to the many projects carried out in recent years, the city has begun to rewrite its history and very soon we will be able to talk about it no longer as a city with environmental and employment problems, but also and above all as one of the cultural and economic capitals of the Southern Italy, Italy and the Mediterranean. Moreover, this destiny is imprinted in the prestigious history of the city. Taranto is the symbol of perseverance and of a Puglia that never gives up".

For mayor Melucci"In continuity with our program of economic reconversion, urban regeneration and valorization of our ancient roots, we have laid the foundations to promote Taranto's role as a cultural hub in the Mediterranean area, since we believe that culture can be a lever important for economic change. We wish to give our city, which is experiencing a positive ferment in several fields, a different image, emancipated from industrial monoculture, not only through recovery and promotion interventions of the precious historical-artistic heritage possessed, but also through support for initiatives of research and development in the field of the arts, the languages ​​of contemporary creativity and the nascent innovative industries that the city hosts. The exhibition will have among its objectives not only to enhance the profound intercultural, interreligious, economic and commercial ties with other countries in the area, but also to intercept, elaborate, valorise and spread the new trends of contemporary creativity in the Mediterranean of all forms of art: from performance art to photography; from fashion to architecture; from cinema to design".