Sgarbi Criticizes Raggi's Renaming of Cultural Department

Vittorio Sgarbi, in an open letter published on Il Giornale, criticized newly elected Rome mayor Virginia Raggi (M5S) for her plan to rename the Assessorato alla Cultura (Department of Culture) as Assessorato alla Crescita Culturale (Department of Cultural Growth). Sgarbi argued that the change reflects linguistic fashions driven by weak thought and advocated for intransigence. He suggested instead the name Assessorato alla Rivoluzione (Culturale), which he himself uses. The letter was written while Sgarbi was en route to Paris to 'take Monna Lisa' (referring to the Mona Lisa at the Louvre), a comment that went viral. The article also notes that Raggi's administration has been slow to form.