OltreCapitale: grassroots alternative to Agrigento 2025 flop

In light of the shortcomings associated with Agrigento Capitale della Cultura 2025, a coalition comprising eight local organizations has introduced OltreCapitale, an independent cultural initiative. This project emerged from dissatisfaction with bureaucratic delays and insufficient community involvement, aiming to establish a grassroots alternative to the official agenda. Architect Lorena Caruana, motivated by the city's infrastructure issues and the marginalization of local artists, spearheaded the network. OltreCapitale intends to rejuvenate neglected urban areas like Parco ICORI, the Rabato district, and the Ipogei through participatory mapping. The coalition includes groups such as Cuddriroom, Rudere Project, and others, and has initiated a call for community feedback while seeking funding from grants and private sponsors. They criticize the Agrigento 2025 foundation for its lack of transparency and minimal inclusion of local talent, noting that only one Sicilian artist, Maria Domenica Rapicavoli, is part of the official program. The logo, created by Lorenzo Romano, represents a dynamic network, with hopes to establish a lasting impact beyond 2025, in stark contrast to the official event’s unfulfilled promises of participation and urban revitalization.