Bonisoli repeats: we will increase freebies. But there are no plans yet

In a post on his Facebook page, the minister of cultural heritage, Alberto Bonisoli, returned to the issue of free museums, after he announced in late July the abolition of free Sundays instituted by former minister Dario Franceschini. However, there is nothing new: Bonisoli merely reiterated what he had already stated in early August. “More freedom is needed to establish #FreeDaysInMuseums,” the minister wrote.

“Free days that we not only intend to maintain, but to increase, modulating them, however, with intelligence, depending on the site, the flow of tourists and the time of year, with special attention to people who cannot afford to go to the museum. The system of compulsory first Sundays of the month does not work and should be overcome, also because not all sites are equal. Saying this, both to me personally and through the press, are the museum directors themselves. That is why today I wanted to meet with them and listen to them, in the presence of the secretary general, the general directors and the chief of staff, to build with them a more efficient strategy. In all the first free Sundays, more than 40 percent of citizens and tourists entered the top ten Italian museums and archaeological sites, with problems of public order, security and usability of monuments. These included the Colosseum, Pompeii and the Uffizi. In more than 160 other open museums and archaeological sites, however, fewer than 100 people entered. This is also the extraordinary heritage that should be promoted and made known to Italians and tourists, not just the great museums, which, instead, should be made accessible to citizens at times when they can really enjoy them. I repeat: the current system that is not working must be overcome. We will do this not only by keeping the free days, but by INCREASING them and adapting them to the typical characteristics of the various territories in which the museums, sites and archaeological areas are located.”

In short: nothing the minister had not already declared. Now, beyond the announcements, museum insiders and visitors are waiting for plans.

Bonisoli repeats: we will increase freebies. But there are no plans yet

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