Varese, Magrini: 'The Province is already investing in culture'

Context

TL;DR

• Magrini defends the cultural investments of the Province of Varese
• Fund of 100 thousand euros for new initiatives in the area
• Over 30 million euros at the center of discussions with the Region
• Varese relaunches its candidacy for Italian Capital of Culture

President of the Province → Marco Magrini Call for applications → Province and Fondazione Comunitaria del Varesotto Cultural funding → over 30 million euros Fund → 100 thousand euros Province's share → 50 thousand euros Objective → put Varese forward for Italian Capital of Culture Partners mentioned → Chamber of Commerce and new Varese Welcome foundation Experimental service → Santa Caterina del Sasso

The response to the Region

Marco Magrini opened today's press conference of the Province of Varese, dedicated to the call for applications promoted by the Province together with the Fondazione Comunitaria del Varesotto, with a response to regional Councillor for Culture Francesca Caruso. The councillor, in an interview, had called for an ever-greater commitment from the cultural system of the local areas, describing it as a lever for development. Magrini said he acknowledged and shared the message, while maintaining, however, that the Province was already working in that direction and was aligned with the councillor's approach.

In his remarks, the president recalled the commitments made together with the Region and, in particular, the funding project for culture worth over 30 million euros. The Province, he explained, had been involved in the project but was still awaiting decisions regarding the initiative.

Magrini clarified that he had set a condition regarding the management of the resources and their local impact:

«The funds will have to be managed with clear rules, ensuring that the benefits accrue to the area of the province of Varese, not to the institution».

The criterion indicated by the president therefore concerns both the rules and the recipient of the benefits. The declared objective is to ensure that any funding produces effects in the area of the province of Varese, rather than being attributed to the institution as such.

Magrini then linked the possible positive outcome of the regional action to a specific destination. If the councillor manages to secure the funding, a significant part of the initiative will concern the Sacro Monte. The resources, the president added, could, however, also serve other areas.

The response to Councillor Caruso thus formed part of the presentation of the work that the Province claims to have already begun. On the one hand, there is agreement with the request for a growing commitment to culture; on the other, a reference to the investments and projects that Magrini mentioned during the press conference.

Operational details

The interventions and places mentioned

Later in the conference, Magrini listed the investments already put in place by the Province, offering a sequence of figures and places. The first reference is Santa Caterina del Sasso: the site received 600 thousand euros and then another 500 thousand euros, earmarked for infrastructure works.

The president distinguished these resources from those linked to the Via Francisca, for which 900 thousand euros concern tenders for the route. Villa Recalcati, on the other hand, received one and a half million for safety measures. The three references were presented as part of the interventions through which the Province chose to invest in the area's heritage and places.

Alongside the infrastructure works, Magrini mentioned the Mosaico project, carried out with the support of the Foundation. The initiative brought folk music to landmark places in the province, including the cloister of Voltorre and Villa Recalcati. In his account, the project thus sits alongside the resources earmarked for material works and broadens the picture of the cultural activities supported.

This list gave rise to the challenge addressed to the Region. Magrini argued that the Province is making significant resources available and asked that the Region do the same. The request was not accompanied by new regional figures: the president referred to the funding proposal still awaiting decisions and indicated the provincial investments already completed or launched.

Magrini ultimately asserted a choice made several years ago: to invest in local areas and concrete projects, working in harmony with mayors and foundations. According to his explanation, this approach produced benefits for the entire province. It is along these lines that the president said he had changed gear, linking the resources allocated to cultural sites with closer collaboration between local institutions and foundations.

Key points

The fund and Varese's bid

The fund presented during the press conference is the instrument intended for new initiatives to promote the area. The Province will make 50 thousand euros available and the Fondazione Comunitaria del Varesotto will double the amount, bringing the fund to 100 thousand euros.

The activities indicated by Magrini include books, films and documentaries dedicated to the history of important places. Initiatives related to music, poetry and exhibitions are also planned. The fund's purpose is therefore described in broad terms, with different proposals all aimed at promoting the area.

The final goal indicated by the president is to bring these actions together in order to put Varese forward as Italian Capital of Culture. Magrini presented the bid as a challenge that also requires the support of the regional councillor for Culture Francesca Caruso. The reference to the Region thus returns in the next phase of the project, after the discussion on investments and cultural funding of over 30 million euros.

A network between culture and mobility

The strategy outlined also includes working as a system. The partners mentioned by Magrini include the Chamber of Commerce and the new Varese Welcome foundation, with which integrated communication work is planned. The project therefore concerns not only individual sites, but also how to present them through collaboration among different entities.

Among the projects already launched is the connection with local public transport. For Santa Caterina del Sasso, an experimental service has been activated which, given the interest it has generated, could be structured as early as next year.

The idea put forward by the Province is to connect the area's main cultural sites through an integrated system. The project includes Santa Caterina del Sasso, the cloister of Voltorre and the area's museums. The connection should include a single ticket and integrated organization.

The fund, communication with partners and local public transport are therefore the steps described by Magrini to give shape to the bid. The perspective outlined at the press conference brings together new promotional initiatives, cultural projects already launched and the possibility of a network among the province's sites.

Source: varesenews.it