Matera 2019 Director Paolo Verri on Early Challenges

Paolo Verri, director of Matera 2019 European Capital of Culture, reflects on the inaugural days following the opening ceremony on January 19, 2019. Verri, who at 27 was the youngest director of the Turin Book Fair and previously led the Italy 150 committee for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, outlines the scale of the program: 300 projects, 120 curators, 40 weeks of programming, and €48 million in funding. He spoke after a preview of the exhibition "Ars Excavandi" curated by Pino Laureano and a tour with Culture Minister Alberto Bonisoli. Verri emphasizes the challenge of meeting tourist expectations and confirms the team's readiness to execute the extensive schedule.