Franceschini reinstates three 'super directors' fired by Bonisoli

Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has reinstated Simone Quilici, Valentino Nizzo, and Cecilie Hollberg as directors of three major state museums, reversing a controversial decree by his predecessor Alberto Bonisoli. The decree, signed in August 2019, had stripped the Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica, the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia in Rome, and the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence of their managerial and financial autonomy, and had merged the Galleria dell'Accademia with the Uffizi. Franceschini suspended the decree in September 2019 upon returning to the ministry. On January 29, 2020, during a press conference announcing tenders for 13 new museum directors, he confirmed the reinstatement of the three directors and the restoration of autonomy to their institutions. Hollberg, who had increased visitor numbers by 22% to 1.7 million annually and revenue by 14.7% to €8.7 million during her tenure, expressed satisfaction at being able to complete her projects. The decision was welcomed by politicians including Marta Bonafoni, who praised Quilici's dedication to the Appia Antica.