Gibellina and Agrigento crises: resignations and political infighting
Roberto Albergoni has resigned as coordinator of Gibellina Capitale dell'Arte Contemporanea 2026, following his earlier resignation from the Fondazione Agrigento 2025. He cited lack of trust from regional president Renato Schifani. Calogero Pumilia, former president of the Fondazione Orestiadi, resigned in January 2025 amid internal conflicts over the direction of the foundation after Gibellina was named Italian Capital of Contemporary Art. Pumilia criticized the political class for incompetence and personal ambitions, particularly in Agrigento, where the 2025 Capital of Culture program has stalled due to delays, lack of scientific committee, and failure to engage private investors. The Fondazione Orestiadi closed its Agrigento space at Fabbriche Chiaramontane despite its success. Pumilia hopes for Gibellina's success but laments the 'rissosità' that undermines cultural opportunities.
Key facts
- Roberto Albergoni resigned as coordinator of Gibellina Capitale dell'Arte Contemporanea 2026 on April 12, 2025.
- Albergoni previously resigned as director of Fondazione Agrigento 2025, stating he was not trusted by President Schifani.
- Calogero Pumilia resigned as president of Fondazione Orestiadi in January 2025 after internal disputes over the foundation's expansion.
- Pumilia served as president for a decade and oversaw financial recovery and budget doubling in 2024.
- Agrigento 2025 has faced delays: no scientific committee, no budget approved by December 2024, no communication office.
- The Fondazione Orestiadi closed its Agrigento space at Fabbriche Chiaramontane in 2024 after a year of activity.
- Pumilia criticized the political class for using cultural capitals for personal power rather than vision.
- Albergoni's Fondazione MeNo wrote the winning dossiers for Palermo Manifesta 2017, Agrigento 2025, and Gibellina 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Roberto Albergoni
- Calogero Pumilia
- Maria Teresa Cucionotta
- Giacomo Minio
- Renato Schifani
- Ludovico Corrao
- Gaetano Savatteri
- Daniela Thomas
- Roberto Andò
- Beniamino Biondi
- Giuseppe Parello
- Sergio Mattarella
- Helga Marsala
Institutions
- Fondazione Agrigento 2025
- Fondazione Orestiadi
- Fondazione MeNo
- Comune di Agrigento
- Comune di Gibellina
- Consorzio universitario agrigentino
- Comune di Lampedusa
- Regione Siciliana
- Poste Italiane
- Poste.com
- Museo Salinas
- Artribune
- Repubblica
- Rubettino
- Democrazia Cristiana
- Partito Democratico
- Consiglio d'Europa
- Manifesta 2017
Locations
- Gibellina
- Agrigento
- Palermo
- Caltabellotta
- Sicily
- Italy
- Fabbriche Chiaramontane
- Quirinale