Simongini's Scathing Critique of Rome's M5S Cultural Policy

On February 23, in Il Tempo, art critic and Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma professor Gabriele Simongini expressed his discontent with the M5S administration in Rome, specifically criticizing Mayor Virginia Raggi and Deputy Mayor for Culture Luca Bergamo for a lack of cultural progress after nine months. He pointed out the absence of directors in museums, such as Federica Pirani at Macro, whose term lapsed without renewal. Simongini raised concerns about the unclear management model outlined in resolution 126 from December 2016 for the Polo del Contemporaneo. He questioned Bergamo's proposal to replace 'exhibitions' with 'production,' highlighting the lack of implementation specifics and contrasting Rome's stagnation with Milan's advancement, expressing doubt about Bergamo's ability to revitalize the cultural scene.