Matera: From 'Shame of Italy' to European Capital of Culture

Matera, designated European Capital of Culture for 2019, underwent a dramatic transformation from a symbol of national disgrace to a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the 1950s, the city's ancient Sassi districts were condemned as uninhabitable due to severe overcrowding and lack of sanitation, leading to the forced relocation of approximately 17,000 residents under Law No. 619 of May 17, 1952. This 'shame' was famously captured in a 1950 photograph of Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi during his visit. The Architecture of Shame (AoS) project, led by artist-architect Fabio Ciaravella with architects Cristina Amenta and Mimì Coviello, explores the relationship between architecture and shame as part of Matera 2019's cultural program. AoS posits that shared embarrassment can foster European identity, contrasting with the usual focus on positive values. The project includes a major exhibition opening July 23, 2019 at the State Archives, a week-long festival from July 23-27, and an online research platform mapping shame-related architecture. AoS aims to establish a permanent biennial research event in Matera focused on the theme of shame.