The new management of cultural heritage goes through accessible routes, sustainability and also public-private partnerships. With the speech of Christian Greco, concluded the three-day “Barocco Heritage” promoted by the tourist destination “Enjoy Barocco.”

The Future of Cultural Heritage: Experiences, Inclusiveness and Accessibility

The future of cultural heritage is geared toward new strategies that promote experiential paths, information transfer capabilities and, above all, accessibility and inclusiveness. This is the opinion of Christian Greco, director of the Egyptian Museum in Turin, who was present today in Scicli to conclude the three-day “Barocco Heritage.” The event combined scientific popularization and events, involving Italian and international academics and offering tourists special openings, guided tours, performances, concerts and archeotrekking.

“Enjoy Barocco”: A Journey through Art and Culture.

The “Enjoy Barocco” initiative promotes the unique tourism destination of GAL Terra Barocca, which includes the municipalities of Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Ispica and Santa Croce Camerina. This initiative, supported by Psr measure 16.3, aims to enhance the region’s cultural heritage through events such as “Barocco Heritage.”

During the third day of “Baroque Heritage,” after in-depth discussions in Ragusa and Modica and institutional speeches by Mayor Mario Marino and Salvatore Occhipinti, director of GAL Terra Barocca, numerous experts participated in discussions on the enhancement of cultural and artistic heritage.

Christian Greco: An Icon of Cultural Disclosure.

At the conclusion of the event, Christian Greco offered a lectio magistralis sharing his vision and outlining plans for the Egyptian Museum of Turin. Greco highlighted the importance of making museums more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that knowledge is available to all.

Insights into Enhancement and Sustainability

The day, curated by lecturers Antonio Barone and Santo Burgio from the University of Catania and moderated by lecturer Lucia Trigilia, saw experts discuss various issues. Among the focal points were the conservation of cultural heritage for sustainable use, the integrated enhancement of cultural heritage, strategic planning and the training of specialized professionals in the field.

Toward a Cultural Heritage Accessible to All

The “Enjoy Barocco” project is not only limited to extraordinary events, but aims at a continuous enhancement of the Terra Barocca LAG territory. Through initiatives such as “Barocco Heritage,” a bridge is created between the past and the present, making cultural heritage usable to all and promoting sustainable tourism.

The path taken by Christian Greco and the many experts present at the event demonstrates that the future of cultural heritage passes through innovation, accessibility and inclusiveness, offering unique experiences to visitors and enhancing the hidden treasures of Baroque Land.

Cultural treasures are not just objects to be admired, but real protagonists of our social life. And so academics and experts have shared revolutionary ideas and visions on the management and enhancement of cultural heritage. Below is a foray into the most lively and passionate discussions.

Cultural Heritage: Protagonists of Social Life

Prof. Pierpaolo Forte (University of Sannio) opened the discussion by stressing the importance of considering cultural heritage as an integral part of our social life. He invited us to look beyond the static aspect of cultural objects and consider them as real community actors, capable of generating dialogue and connections between people and places.

Strategic Planning: Joining Forces for Enhancement

Prof. Pietro Valentino (University of Studies “La Sapienza,” Rome) brought forward the topic of strategic planning, stressing the importance of an integrated approach to cultural heritage management. He spoke about the need to coordinate the various management plans in the area to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable enhancement of our cultural heritage.

Collaboration and Resources: Toward a Supra-regional Approach.

Prof. Antonio Barone raised the interesting issue of creating a supra-regional body for the Mezzogiorno. This body, according to Barone, could act as a catalyst for resources, supporting local communities and academic institutions in the management and promotion of cultural heritage.

Sustainable Tourism: Discovering the Past with an Eye to the Future

Prof. Pierluigi Catalfo (University of Catania) highlighted the importance of fair and sustainable tourism for the enhancement of cultural heritage. He spoke about the need to create tourism routes that actively involve the younger generations, thus ensuring a bright future for our cultural heritage.

Digitalization and Innovation: In Search of New Frontiers.

Prof. Loredana Giani (European University of Rome) explored the topic of digitization of cultural heritage. She spoke about the importance of using technology in innovative ways to make our cultural heritage accessible to all, creating engaging and interactive experiences that can inspire and educate.

Circular Economy: Reuse and Sustainability for a Better Future

Prof. Anna Mignosa (University of Catania) introduced the concept of circular economy in the context of cultural heritage. She talked about how reuse and repurposing can be key to ensuring the sustainability and enhancement of our cultural heritage, while creating economic and employment opportunities for local communities.

Museums of the Future: A Bridge Between Past and Present

Finally, Christian Greco presented an innovative vision of museums as centers of research and social participation. He spoke about the importance of transforming museums into living, dynamic places that can actively engage the community and tell stories that inspire and stimulate reflection on our past and present.

The event offered a passionate and inspiring look at the future of cultural heritage, showing how collaboration, innovation and vision can open new horizons for the appreciation and enjoyment of our cultural heritage. With bold ideas and a shared commitment, we can ensure that our past continues to inspire and enrich generations

Thanks to “Baroque Heritage,” it was possible to offer an important moment of discussion and reflection on the cultural heritage of the Baroque Land by looking at the active and sustainable management of cultural heritage in the “new” 20 years after the first 20 since Unesco recognition.

May 7, 2023