Paestum Park praised by Confindustria. It has raised 300,000 euros from private funds in three years

Confindustria promotes the Paestum Archaeological Park: the Campania site, in fact, in three years has managed to raise as much as 300,000 euros of private funds for its activities, of which only 170,000 euros in the last year. Last night, the national president of Confindustria, Vincenzo Boccia, met in Salerno with the entrepreneurs who support the site (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site), expressing words of appreciation for the Park’s work: “Confindustria,” Boccia commented, “has a broad vision of industry, which yes, has a manufacturing heart, but is also of construction, services, tourism and culture. The Salerno Association’s agreement with the Paestum Archaeological Park brings businesses, art and the territory into play in a union that enhances all components. And it testifies once again that when beauty, balance and tradition come into play, Italy comes into play.”

For Paestum director Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the 300,000 in three years is an important milestone. “Considering that we started from scratch three years ago,” he said, “it is a great signal for the cultural and economic development of a South rich in excellence.” Resources have been used in research and restoration activities, starting with the refurbishment three years ago of the Mario Napoli Hall, the one that houses the world-famous Tomb of the Tuffatore, a symbol of Paestum. That work was made possible by a donation from the Palmieri family, owners of a local dairy in the Vannulo locality. That was but the first intervention made possible thanks to private individuals, and over time some of the relationships have been re-established and renewed: this is the case, for example, of the Antonio Amato pasta factory, which every year provides resources for two six-month research grants for young archaeologists selected through a national call for proposals. And again, there are the restorations of a painted tomb funded by the Italian-American Forum Foundation (the tomb was later displayed in the exhibition Action painting ritual and art in the tombs of Paestum) in 2017, the fundraising evening at the Tenuta dei Normanni (thanks to the Community Foundation Salerno) to benefit the restoration of another Paestum painted tomb, the Barlotti Dairy and Giuseppe Pagano of the Savoy Beach Hotel, which financed the resumption of the maintenance plan for the Temple of Athena, which has been at a standstill for more than a decade, to continue, in 2018, with Barbara Guerra and Albert Sapere of LSDM, who involving one of the world’s most famous chefs, Massimo Bottura, organized a charity dinner in the archaeological area of Paestum, the proceeds of which went to the excavation of an ancient building near the Temple of Neptune.

Confindustria also made a contribution: through the Fondazione Mezzogiorno Tirrenico, chaired by Giuseppe Rosa, it contributed to a project for archaeometric analysis and conservation of the famous metopes from the Temple of Hera at the Foce del Sele. The single highest donation was granted a few days ago by the D’Amico family, owner of the food company of the same name in Pontecagnano (Salerno): 100,000 euros earmarked for an earthquake-proof monitoring project of the Temple of Neptune. This is a project developed in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Salerno, which will involve the installation of eight advanced technology sensors placed on the monument that will allow continuous monitoring of the building, which can be consulted through the network in real time. Key information on the behavior of the Temple of Neptune will be made available to all users online, in a move toward open data and transparency in the administration of archaeological heritage. “Participating in the project of monitoring the largest temple of the ancient polis of Paestum is for us not only an honor but also a source of pride,” said Sabato D’Amico, CEO of D’Amico. “We firmly believe that only by preserving and enhancing the national artistic heritage can we contribute to the growth and development of our territory.”

There are not only monetary donations and sponsorships, but also other forms of support. A few examples: the company Sabox of Nocera Superiore provided the customized chairs to set up the Museum’s conference room, and the association “The Friends of Paestum,” recently formed and chaired by Teresa Giuliani, is actively involved in the revitalization of the Foce Sele Narrante Museum. Finally, during the evening with Confindustria’s top management, the following companies that have so far supported the Park’s activities and are part of the Neptune Circle were honored: D&D Italia (D’Amico), Savoy Beach Hotel di Giuseppe Pagano, Tenuta Vannulo di Antonio Palmieri e Famiglia, Pastificio Di Martino G. & F.lli SpA (Pasta Antonio Amato), Sorrento Sapori e Tradizioni srl, Caseificio Barlotti Paestum, Le strade della mozzarella, Fondazione Mezzogiorno Tirrenico and Fondazione Comunità Salernitana. All companies counted among the major supporters of the Paestum Archaeological Park.

The Park then provided details of the fundraising efforts. In 2016, 56,890 euros were raised; in 2017, 60,969 euros; in 2018, 44,030 euros; and in 2019, 134,375 euros, plus 10,000 euros in crowdfunding and small donations.

Paestum Park praised by Confindustria. It has raised 300,000 euros from private funds in three years

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