Genoa's historic Teatro Café La Madeleine reopens as art gallery

In the historic center of Genoa, at Via della Maddalena 105 rosso, the former Teatro Café La Madeleine—a youth cultural hub in the 1990s and early 2000s known for live music and performances—has been transformed into a contemporary art gallery. Closed in 2007 and meticulously restored, the space now houses La Madeleine gallery, founded by Silvio Oliva in collaboration with Paola Ghiglione. The gallery focuses on Latin American art while also supporting local Genoese artists. It opened in early May 2025 with an inaugural exhibition featuring five Colombian artists: Leon Trujillo (informal painting exploring material transformation), Maria Fernanda Vallejo, Ricardo Jaramillo, José Michelsen, and Jackson Villamizar (paper sculptures blending art and design). The restoration preserved original historical elements while adding bold wall colors. Oliva stated that the gallery aims to pair international programming with support for contemporary Genoese artists, calling it a necessary cultural act.