Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, met with her Italian counterpart, Dario Franceschini, Minister of Cultural Property and Activities and Tourism, on 31 August 2016 in Italy.
The minister expressed to him all the sorrow and compassion of France after the violent earthquake that struck the heart of Italy on August 24, killing several hundred people and causing serious damage. Faced with this national tragedy, she reaffirmed, on behalf of the French Government, France’s full solidarity with her Italian neighbour and friend. She also assured him of French aid and all the necessary support in this terrible ordeal.
This meeting was also an opportunity for the two ministers to welcome the intensity of bilateral cultural cooperation between France and Italy. They spoke about their ambitions for heritage and creation, considering the importance of the European project, conceived as a «Common House» that culture contributes to build. They are convinced of the need for all young Europeans to have wider access to culture.
This meeting enabled the ministers to affirm their common position on a large number of European issues such as the fundamental role of copyright in supporting innovation, creativity and the promotion of cultural diversity. They will continue to bring these issues together to the European Commission.
They also stressed the importance of strengthening the fight against illicit trade in cultural goods at the international level. They also discussed the international conference on the protection of endangered heritage to be held in December in Abu Dhabi, on the initiative of France and the United Arab Emirates, in conjunction with UNESCO.
On the sidelines of this meeting, the French minister will participate this evening, alongside her counterpart, in the opening ceremony of the 73rd edition of the Venice Mostra, a major international film event, during which a tribute will be paid to the victims of the earthquake.
The Minister will also attend the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale tomorrow. The projects showcasing «ordinary» architecture, presented at the French Pavilion are a perfect illustration of the desire to strengthen the place of architecture in the daily life of the French, This ambition was recently reinforced in the law on the freedom of creation, architecture and heritage promulgated last July.