Italy's Cultural Ministry is
bringing cultural works by migrants to the forefront in a new
project called MigrArti.
The initiative will invest 800,000 euros in acceptance
and integration of the many "new Italians who live, work and
study in our country", according to Culture Minister Dario
Franceschini.
"There's nothing worse than not opening to diversity,"
Franceschini said.
MigrArti - which follows on the heels of the ministry's
recent campaign to mark the 60-year anniversary of when Rosa
Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery,
Alabama - aims to help and promote the cinema, music, theatre
and art enriched by the many different cultures that have come
to Italy through migrants.
"It's just a first step. We're making up for a government
delay," Franceschini said of the programme, which has already
involved art high schools and technical institutes in a national
contest to design a logo for the initiative, with a 4,000-euro
prize.
The idea is to permanently focus the government's attention
and support for the many different cultures that have been
arriving in Italy for decades, with particular attention on
second generations, who Franceschini said form "the authentic
bridge between their parents and the future that awaits them in
this country".
This "first step" is itself in steps, with two 400,000-euro
tenders - one for cinema and one for live theatre - that will
finance film, theatre, dance and musical projects "centered on
themes of integration and the promotion of initiatives dedicated
to cultural plurality".
"I'm convinced that it's the right path and our intention
is to move ahead, but we're charting new territory, which is why
we're going step by step," Franceschini said.
"It's the culture ministry's duty to deal not only with
what we know but also what we don't know".
The project will be led by film and theatre directors
Nicola Borrelli and Ninni Cutaia as well as the city of Rome
culture councillor Paolo Masini.
One of the project's challenges comes from the fact that
there isn't currently a comprehensive list of all of the
country's foreign cultural associations or organisations.
To help correct that, the ministry is also sponsoring an
online census form in which those organisations can register, an
option that Masini added is "absolutely voluntary".
The project's two tenders are currently detailed on the
ministry's website with all the information necessary for
participation.
"What must be clear is that they have to be projects that
the city needs," Masini said.
Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2016, and the
list of winners will be made public by February 2016.
"I'm certain that it will do us very well to see a Syrian
film or listen to a Nigerian concert - knowledge of diversity is
the best method for a civil and safe integration," Franceschini
said.
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