(7 April, 2016) “A bridge for cultural heritage” is the objective of the Italy-Serbia encounter (April 6-7) in Belgrade. Italian participation (formed by experts in the cultural heritage field) was coordinated by the Director of the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism (BMTA) Ugo Picarelli on behalf of the Italian Embassy in Serbia and the Italian Cultural Institute of Belgrade. Vladan Vukosavljevic, the Minister of Culture and Information of Serbia and Giuseppe Manzo, the Italian Ambassador to Belgrde will attend the programme. Along with Director Picarelli: Gennaro Miccio (director of the Regional Secretariat of MiBACT for Piedmont), Luigi Melillo (Archeologist at the head of the the Office for Restoration and for International Relations of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples), Rachele Mariconda (expert in public contracts and in e-procurement for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage), Monica Giannattasio (architect and expert on monument restoration and urban rehabilitation of historic centres). In yesterday’s portion of the programme, Italian best practices were highlighted, given the recent cultural reforms. The Paestum stock exchange exemplifies the promotion of cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue. The Serbian Minister underlined the many common points between the two countries despite their far borders. He also recalled that 17 Roman Emperors were born in modern-day Serbia. The Italian Ambassador underlined Italy as a “Cultural Superpower” that carries out an important role in Serbia, as primary economic partner. On Wednesday, during the Serbian President’s official visit (who was recently elected on April 2nd), the Italian Ambassador underline the important diplomatic relations between the two countries, exemplifying this encounter “which is at the basis of the foreign diplomatic cultural policy that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano has made his own since his appointment”. (Red)
