Rende's museum network as a model to combat depopulation in Italian towns

Roberto Bilotti, hailing from Cosenza, highlights the issue of depopulation in Italian municipalities, particularly in Rende, which has a population of approximately 400. Often referred to as the 'Borgo dei Musei,' Rende is home to four museums: the Castello Normanno di Rende, showcasing 400 contemporary artworks; the Museo Civico at Palazzo Zagarese, featuring 17th-century Southern Italian artists; the Maon located in Palazzo Vitari; and the Museo della Ceramica di Calabria at Palazzo Magdalone. However, these cultural institutions suffer from low visibility and inconsistent opening hours, with the Castle accessible only on Sundays for three hours. Bilotti calls for a more systematic strategy and advocates for leveraging the museum network to stimulate revitalization through artist residencies, academic gatherings, and improved outreach. This interview was conducted by Ludovica Palmieri for Artribune.