Abruzzo’s Regional Government approves initial contribution to L’Aquila’s 2019 effort

Abruzzo’s regional legislature approved yesterday an initial contribution of 50 thousand euros in support of L’Aquila’s candidacy as European Capital of Culture in 2019.

The news comes from phone calls to regional legislators who took part in the unanimous vote. As soon as we get a hold of a copy of the approved emendment we’ll post the text here.

In announcing his support for L’Aquila’s candidacy, Abruzzo’s president (governor), Gianni Chiodi announced that in a letter that letter that he and Mauro Di Dalmazio recieved from Premier Silvio Berlusconi and Undersecretary Gianni Letta expressing their full support. The note aslo said that the national government will post a call for bids in 2012. Chiodi also thanked opposition leader Carlo Costantini for his support.

Please Support L’Aquila’s Bid to Become European Capital of Culture 2019

We believe that L’Aquila should be the European Capital of Culture for many reasons. It’s unique and rich cultural, architectural, artistic and musical heritage made the city one of Europe’s most overlooked city’s of art.
Unfortunately it took a disastrous earthquake to let the world know about L’Aquila.
The choice of L’Aquila as Capital of Culture will not only highlight what L’Aquila was, but it will show what it can once again become by 2019 and beyond. Reconstruction will have more than a goal, but a reachable dream.
And the city will become a showcase of what European, if not worldwide, cultural co-operation.

Please support us by joining our group on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=183317549268&ref=mf) or by subscribing to this blog. We will be able to keep you informed on our progress and how to help, and you will demonstrating your support.

The Catalyst: the Article That Got Us Started

This is the translation of the article by Peirluigi Mantini e Roberto Danea that pushed us to work to support L’Aquila’s Candidacy

L’AQUILA EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2019

We have launched a wonderful project for the future of L’Aquila and the rebirth of its territory: the candidacy of the city of L’Aquila as European Capital of Culture 2019
The European Capital of Culture programme was called the European City of Culture and was conceived in 1983 by Melina Mercouri, then serving as Greek Minister of Culture as a way of bringing culture closer to European citizens. Since then the intiative has enjoyed growing success with the European public and an ever greater social and economic impact thanks to the many visitors the Capitals of Culture have attracted.
In 1999 the European City of Culture was renamed “European Capital of Culture and it is now financed by the Culture 2000 programme. Three Italian cities have already held the honour: Florence in 1986, Bologna in 2000 (with many others in the special millennium edition) and Genoa in 2004.
The European Parliament and and Council established a calendar in 2006 that assigns the title to two EU member countries every year. Cities in both Italy and Bulgaria will hold the title in 2019.
Its well within our reach!
The cultural, architectural and artistic heritage of L’Aquila caught the attention of the media and the general public only after the devastating earthquake that hit L’Aquila and surrounding towns on April 6th 2009.
The choice of L’Aquila as European Capital of Culture for 2019 will be important for the city’s rebirth for many reasons.
L’Aquila history is important as it is unique. It is a city with strong cultural traditions, starting with its architecture: the Basilicas of Collemaggio, S. Maria del Suffragio and S. Bernardino, the churches, the famous “Fountain of the 99 spouts”, the many castles and palaces spread throughout its territory. L’Aquila is home to one of Italy’s  “Teatro Stabile” public theatres, boasts a rich and ancient music and opera tradition and is active in cinema..
The 2019 date gives a reasonable goal for the restoration of its’ rich architectural heritage, giving the population a solid forecast regarding the timetable for the city’s rebirth.
The resources already earmarked for the reconstruction will be transformed from simple “rebuilding resources”, in an effective investment for the city’s development thanks to the promotional impact that being an Big Event can bring. It will no longer be “Europe’s biggest building site” but rather a skill intensive workshop rich in ideas and values.
As often happens with big events, being the European Capital of Culture is a important “driver” for change, capable of reorienting the territory’s vocation along new areas of specialisation (culture, tourism, etc.), with positive effects for it’s economy.
Many national and international institutions and governments (Germany, Spain, France, USA) have made comittments to the reconstruction effort and this makes L’Aquila a prototype for international cultural co-operation and is supporting the city’s European dimension.
The choice will also reinforce L’Aquila’s candidacy as an UNESCO World heritage site.
It will revitalise L’Aquila’s role as a university city, and a centre of excellence as proposed by the O.C.S.E., a capital of knowledge, once again able to attract students from the all over Italy, Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond.
In summary, the reconstruction of L’Aquila will become a model for how to plan the future of a city through the careful reading of its past, identifying an urban equilibrium between human and cultural space that links history and modernity, that respects the territory and its dangers. It is an opportunity to transform a disaster for a community into an opportunity to change for the better. It is a challenge to become an example for Europe and the world.
We have proposed the creation of an “honour committee” with exponents of Abruzzo’s institutions,cultural activities, business and the media. We have formally advanced the question with the Italian Government through the Minster of Culture.
The project is being assisted by young professionals who worked on Milan’s successful EXPO 2015 candidacy.
In December we will present the initiative in L’Aquila together with the local authorities, institutions and public figures who want to support the Promoting Committee and the Foundation.
But none of this would be possible without the the support and passion of the citizens of Abruzzo. We want our dream for L’Aquila,  it is our right, and we can achieve it.

By  Pierluigi Mantini and Roberto Daneo
Published in  Il Centro, 16 November 16th, 2009