Four new super-departments at Italy's Ministry of Culture get directors

Italy's Ministry of Culture has appointed four directors to lead its newly created super-departments, part of the Sangiuliano Reform that abolished the General Secretariat. The reform, effective May 18, 2024, restructures the ministry into four thematic departments: DIAG (general administration), DIT (heritage and landscape protection), DIVA (heritage valorisation), and DIAC (cultural activities). Alfonsina Russo, former director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park since 2017, will head DIVA. Luigi La Rocca, previously director general for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, takes DIT. Mario Turetta, who led the now-abolished General Secretariat from April 2023, will direct DIAC. Paolo D'Angeli, formerly of the Budget Directorate, leads DIAG. The appointments were approved by the Council of Ministers on July 3, 2024. Notable exclusion: Massimo Osanna remains Director General of Museums, now under DIVA. The reform has drawn criticism for resembling a failed 2005-2006 departmental structure under Rocco Buttiglione, potentially increasing bureaucracy and complicating the autonomy of special-status museums. The Council of State had expressed doubts about the new regulation in February 2024.