Pietrangelo Buttafuoco has been appointed president of the Venice Biennale Foundation. Below is the news, additional important information and also the biography of the new leader.
Pietrangelo Buttafuoco appointed president of the Venice Biennale Foundation
Pietrangelo Buttafuoco will become the new president of the Venice Biennale Foundation by the end of the year, with an official designation scheduled for mid-December 2023.
This appointment, now no longer a secret, is considered a matter of days among experts in the field. The current president, Roberto Cicutto, in office since February 2020 and appointed by former minister Dario Franceschini, will officially complete his term on March 2, 2024.
However, both in Venice and Rome, it is known that the relationship between the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, and Cicutto was initially cold and then nonexistent at the beginning of the Meloni government. Despite this, Cicutto was highly praised for his notable successes with the Cinema Exhibitions, the Biennale Arte 2022, and the Biennale Architettura 2023.
The change in leadership
The change in leadership was thus predictable and follows the appointment of Alessandro Giuli to the Maxxi-Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo in Rome in November 2022, another intellectual affiliated with the political-cultural area of the current government.
The appointment procedure involves a passage by Minister Sangiuliano, followed by the opinion of the Culture Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Only after this series of steps will the appointment decree be issued by Sangiuliano, anticipating the expiration of Cicutto's term, which is a common practice. Buttafuoco also enjoys broad bipartisan support, as he has long collaborated with the Leonardo Civiltà delle Macchine Foundation, chaired by Luciano Violante, a former magistrate and former president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Buttafuoco and Violante, longtime friends, also collaborated on a volume of essays entitled "Pedagogy and Politics. Building Thinking Communities" together with Emiliana Marrese.
What is the Venice Biennale Foundation?
The Venice Biennale Foundation is an extremely complex body that manages events such as the annual Venice Film Festival, the biennial Art and Architecture festivals, the Contemporary Dance Festival, the International Theater Festival, and the International Contemporary Music Festival.
In addition, the Foundation maintains the extensive Historical Archives of Contemporary Arts, with records dating back to 1895. In practice, the Venice Biennale is considered the most prestigious and cosmopolitan Italian cultural institution in the world, going far beyond the role of a mere calling card. Anyone who has led this institution knows that this is a responsibility of great international resonance.
Some more info about the Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a cultural foundation based in Venice, Italy. It focuses primarily on the visual arts, but also embraces music, film, theater, architecture and dance. It is widely recognized as one of the leading cultural institutions in Italy and one of the most influential globally.
Since 1895, it has regularly organized the Venice Biennale, an international art exhibition held every two years.
Who is the new president of the Venice Biennale Foundation? Biography of Pietrangelo Buttafuoco
Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, born in Catania on September 2, 1963, is a multifaceted and influential figure in Italian culture. A journalist, writer, television host and commentator, Buttafuoco is known for his active role in the Italian cultural scene.
The rise of Pietrangelo Buttafuoco
A native of Catania, Buttafuoco comes from a family originally from Agira, in the province of Enna, and is the grandson of former MSI parliamentarian Antonino Buttafuoco. His education saw him graduate from the Liceo Classico "Nunzio Vaccalluzzo" high school in Leonforte and graduate in philosophy from the University of Catania.
Buttafuoco began his career as a national leader of the Fronte della Gioventù and later obtained a prominent position in the Italian Social Movement. In 1995, he became a member of the National Assembly of Alleanza Nazionale, a position he held until 2003.
Journalistic career and political influences
Buttafuoco's journalistic career began by working for right-wing politically oriented magazines such as "Proposta." In 1993, he joined the newspaper of the then MSI-DN, the "Secolo d'Italia." Later, he collaborated with "Il Giornale" under the editorship of Vittorio Feltri. His journalistic experience was marked by high-profile assignments, including editing the periodical "L'Italia settimanale," known for its provocative covers.
Buttafuoco also made his television debut by hosting the program "Sali e Tabacchi" on Channel 5, thanks to the invitation of editor Giampaolo Sodano. His journalistic career also included a collaboration with Giuliano Ferrara's "Il Foglio," before joining "Panorama" in 2004 under Pietro Calabrese.
The successful author
In addition to his career in journalism, Buttafuoco has established himself as a successful author. In 2005, he published the novel "The Dragon's Eggs," which was a finalist for the Campiello Prize in 2006. This novel captured attention for its engaging narrative.
Buttafuoco has also written significant essays on political, religious and cultural issues, contributing to Italian intellectual debate. Among his works are "Cabaret Voltaire," an essay on the relationship between Islam and the West, and "Fìmmini," a reflection on issues related to the world of women.
Additional contributions and activities
In addition to her commitment to writing and journalism, Buttafuoco has shown a strong involvement in culture and education. He served as president of the Teatro Stabile di Catania and participated in high-profile television programs, including "Otto e mezzo."
Buttafuoco was also appointed president of the Teatro Stabile d'Abruzzo, expanding his involvement in the Italian cultural scene. His cultural influence also extends to the field of education, having been appointed board member of the University of Enna "Kore."
A life of change and influence
A surprising element in Pietrangelo Buttafuoco's life was his conversion to Islam in 2015, a choice he characterized as a "return" to spiritual Tradition. This sparked widespread debate and helped define his cultural and religious identity.
Over the years, Buttafuoco has continued to write and contribute to the evolution of Italian cultural and political thought, gaining a diverse and influential audience.