Francesco Erbani Examines Italy's Cultural Heritage Management in New Book

Francesco Erbani, a contributor to La Repubblica, has released "Lo stato dell'arte. Reportage tra vizi, virtù e gestione politica dei beni culturali" (Manni editore, 2024, 208 pp., €16). Drawing inspiration from Silvia Dell'Orso's 2002 publication "Altro che musei," Erbani aims his book at a general readership, examining the rise in public consciousness regarding cultural heritage over the past twenty years, despite ongoing issues like chronic underfunding and staffing deficits, which have intensified under the Meloni administration. He critiques the commercialization of cultural landmarks and observes that, although tourism has boosted museum attendance since 2014, less than 30% of Italians actually visit. In the chapter "Il museo che verrà," he proposes that museums should function as public services that actively involve communities, showcasing efforts from Capodimonte, Museo Civico Archeologico ed Etnologico di Modena, Museo Egizio di Torino, and Uffizi.