L'Aquila ten years after the earthquake: culture as resilience and contested reconstruction

A decade after the 2009 earthquake, the cultural revival in L'Aquila has yielded uneven outcomes. Stefania Pezzopane pushed for legislation that designates 4% of reconstruction finances for cultural initiatives, safeguarding employment. Giovanna Melandri points out that the MAXXI L'Aquila project has encountered a 50% reduction in its budget since 2020. Tiziano Scarpa reflects on the 'Stella d'Italia' march from 2012. Criticism from Alessandro Chiappanuvoli highlights a lack of vision, while Agnese Porto remarks that although the city has been rebuilt, it struggles with identity. Matteo Di Genova raises concerns about social reconstruction. Donatella Giagnacovo shares experiences from temporary settlements. Giuseppe Stampone likens the city to Ballard's 'Crystal Forest.' Germana Galli mentions the partial restoration of the historic center, and Antonio Di Giacomo points out ongoing recovery challenges. This article appeared in Artribune Magazine #47.