Alessandro Giuli, a prominent figure in right-wing media and a close ally of Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been appointed the country’s new Culture Minister. This appointment marks a significant shift in the Italian cultural sphere, as Giuli’s rise coincides with the growing influence of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia party.
Giuli’s appointment comes after the resignation of his predecessor, Gennaro Sangiuliano, whose alleged appointment of his former mistress as an advisor sparked a national scandal. Meloni, however, insists that Giuli will “continue the effort to revive national culture,” suggesting a commitment to aligning the arts with the values of her party.
A Controversial Past
Giuli’s past is deeply intertwined with Italy’s far-right movement. He was a member of the neo-fascist group Meridiano Zero and later joined the Youth Front, a wing of the now-defunct neo-fascist Italian Social Movement. These affiliations raise concerns about his potential influence on the Italian cultural landscape.
Giuli’s background is reminiscent of another prominent figure, Pietroangelo Buttafuoco, who also had ties to the Italian Social Movement and went on to become a prominent right-wing journalist. Both men were recently appointed to influential positions within the Italian cultural scene, raising eyebrows and concerns about the direction of the country’s artistic landscape.
Controversy at Maxxi
Giuli’s tenure as president of the Maxxi museum, a leading institution for contemporary art, was marked by controversy. In July 2023, he was criticized for failing to intervene when the then-undersecretary for culture, Vittorio Sgarbi, made crudely sexist remarks during a panel discussion.
Giuli defended his inaction, claiming that interrupting Sgarbi would have risked “an incident” that could have had negative consequences for the Maxxi. However, Sgarbi’s remarks and Giuli’s response further fueled concerns about the direction of Italian culture under the influence of the far-right.
Meloni’s Vision for Culture
Meloni’s appointment of Giuli signals her intention to reshape the Italian cultural scene in line with her party’s values. Her recent inauguration of a state-sponsored exhibition dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, is seen by some as a move to promote conservative values, despite Tolkien’s rejection of extremism.
Meloni’s vision for culture is seen by some as a direct response to the perceived “cultural hegemony” of the left, which she has previously spoken out against. The appointment of Giuli and other right-wing figures to key cultural positions seems to solidify this ambition.
Conclusion
Giuli’s appointment as Italy’s Culture Minister is a significant event that has ignited debate about the future of the country’s cultural landscape. His past ties to far-right groups and his controversial tenure at the Maxxi museum raise concerns about his potential influence on the arts and culture. Meloni’s clear desire to promote conservative values through the arts, as seen in the Tolkien exhibition, further underscores the growing influence of the far-right on Italian culture. The coming years will be crucial in determining the impact of this shift on the Italian artistic landscape and its international reputation.
