Sora, notice seeking retired and free museum director suspended

In the morning this morning, the City of Sora withdrew the public notice of controversy, which by then had become a national case: the one by which the City was seeking, for the Museum of the Media Valle del Liri, a retired director who would work for free. All the professional associations had moved to demand its withdrawal, and even the Superintendency of Frosinone and Latina had asked the Municipality to reconsider. And today finally came the suspension. “While noting that the procedure prepared by the competent municipal offices is in compliance with current regulations on the recruitment of management personnel in the public administration and also respects their most recent interpretative opinions,” said Mayor Luca Di Stefano and Deputy Mayor with responsibility for culture Maria Paola Gemmiti, “we take note of the note of the Archaeological, Fine Arts and Landscape Superintendence for the provinces of Frosinone and Latina, and on today, Jan. 24, the offices will revise the aforementioned public notice. This Administration does not want to engage in a tug-of-war with the Superintendency, in fact, it intends to operate in full respect of the functions and competencies of supra-municipal bodies. We welcome the invitation to cooperate that we received last January 20 from Superintendent Arch. Maria Grazia Filetici. This administration intends to operate in an atmosphere of respect for institutional relations, accepting input from the relevant bodies.”

In the environment there is now relief, although the atmosphere is not one that can lead to jubilation. This is the position of the Mi Riconosci association, which had spoken out against the notice from the beginning. “This is an important event,” explains Cecilia de Laurentiis, the association’s contact person for Lazio, “because it shows that the fight against inequity and exploitation pays off, especially if it is participatory: work in the cultural sector is composed of professionalism that cannot be replaced by enthusiasts or unpaid hobbyists. And even the City of Sora finally had to recognize this. It is not enough, culture needs investment and planning, and the fact that Sora recruited 16 civil service volunteers despite not yet having a museum director is a sign that there is still a long way to go.”

The association had noted from the start that the tasks envisaged were properly professional (carrying out the functions of scientific referent of the museum provided for by current regional and national regulations, proposing actions to promote the image of the museum structure, collaborating with the superordinate bodies in charge of the protection of museum activities museum activities) requiring, in fact, a degree in archaeology or equivalent, while proven experience in archaeological research and documented knowledge of artifact conservation systems, assignments and certifications documenting experience in the field of archaeology as well as collaborative relationships with institutions such as Superintendencies, Universities, Museums, etc. were preferential requirements. for study activities, cataloguing, museum layouts, as well as specific studies or scientific publications related to archaeological topics. Mi Riconosci also emphasizes the contribution of those (from former director and city councilwoman Manuela Cerqua who reported the notice to ICOM, to professional associations and newspapers that made it a case) who contributed to the outcome by relaunching the complaint. “We hope that this affair will help spread greater awareness not only about free labor, which is always to be condemned, but about the recognition, including economic recognition, of professions in the cultural heritage sector,” the Mi Riconosci activists conclude, adding that they will monitor developments in the affair and the new notice.

TheNational Association of Archaeologists also commented on the case today. “Our constant attention to these kinds of issues,” says National President Alessandro Garrisi, “is aimed at the maximum protection of both professionalism and cultural heritage. Continuous monitoring through the ANA’s Tenders and Tenders Observatory is always intended to be proactive and aimed at the principles that inspire us and never punitive. Our action of dialogue between the parties is also essential as support to the entities. We will never mediate on the fundamental principles of protection of cultural works and fair compensation for the professional.”

Image: the Museum of the Media Valle del Liri in Sora

Sora, notice seeking retired and free museum director suspended

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