Elena Fontanella Named Director of Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid
Elena Fontanella, a journalist hailing from Turin, has been named the new director of the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Madrid, situated at Palacio de Abrantes. She intends to collaborate with Professor Stefano Zecchi on a Festival of Beauty and introduce a program titled 'Un capolavoro di Regione.' Additionally, Fontanella plans to transform the bar and library into a coworking area. To boost public engagement, she will organize events linked to annual celebrations and the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics. To tackle funding challenges, she will establish a corporate board and the 'Club de Palacio Italia.' A partnership with Politecnico di Milano is set to improve the building's functionality. Notable upcoming events include the Italian Film Festival from December 1 to 7 and a Christmas exhibition featuring the Treasure of San Gennaro.
Key facts
- Elena Fontanella is the new director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid.
- The institute is located at the Palacio de Abrantes on Calle Mayor.
- Fontanella plans a Festival of Beauty with Stefano Zecchi.
- She aims to reopen the bar and library as a coworking space and startup incubator.
- A renovation agreement with Politecnico di Milano's ABC Department has been signed.
- Fontanella will create a board of major companies, a group of Italian firms in Spain, and the Club de Palacio Italia.
- Language courses will include masterclasses, a journalism course, and a Commedia dell'arte course.
- The Italian Film Festival will run December 1-7, 2025, directed by Giulio Base.
- The Treasure of San Gennaro will be exhibited at the institute at Christmas.
- Fontanella met with Prado director Miguel Falomir to discuss collaboration with Pinacoteca di Brera.
Entities
Artists
- Elena Fontanella
- Giorgio Gullini
- Bruno Munari
- Gillo Dorfles
- Mario Resca
- Eric Truno
- Stefano Zecchi
- Stefano Capolongo
- Giulio Base
- Miguel Falomir
- Federica Lonati
Institutions
- Italian Cultural Institute Madrid
- Palacio de Abrantes
- Ministero della Cultura
- Comune de La Coruña
- Comune di Milano
- Comune di Barcellona
- Politecnico di Milano
- Università Cattolica di Milano
- Università di Bergamo
- Università di Oviedo
- Urbs Regia di Toledo
- Museo del Prado
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Teatro Real
- Biblioteca Nacional
- Com.It.Es
- Ordine nazionale dei Giornalisti
- Artribune
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Turin
- Milan
- Italy
- Pompei
- Naples
- La Coruña
- Barcelona
- Oviedo
- Toledo
- Piedmont