Cecilie Hollberg: fired without explanation. Unusual for a democratic state

Florence Academy Gallery director Cecilie Hollberg gave a tough interview to Corriere della Sera during which she commented on the measure that merges the museum she directs with the Uffizi Gallery, effectively sanctioning her removal from the post, effective today, August 22, 2019.

In answering questions from journalist Marco Gasperetti, Hollberg let it be known that Cultural Heritage Minister Alberto Bonisoli has “not explained why he wants to take away the autonomy of the Accademia by merging it with the Uffizi,” and no one has “been able to give her an explanation about this counter-reform.” “No one,” says the director, “gave me an explanation for this very unusual way of behaving in a democratic state. On the evening of Friday, August 9, I learned from an email from the ministry that I would be out of work as of August 22. Fired.”

Her compatriots in Germany, Hollberg lets it be known, “are outraged. I had solidarity from Spanish, Austrian, British, American, and of course Italian colleagues. All astonished both by the decision to take away the autonomy of the Academy and by their behavior toward me.” The director concluded by reiterating her opposition to the amalgamation and stating, “I am convinced that culture cannot be instrumentalized by politics. Culture is free thought and science, instead in Italy with every government we start over. I have been through three. The third one, that of the counter-reform, was unfortunately decisive and I fear devastating. It goes back 30 years.”

The full interview was published on the Corriere della Sera website.

Cecilie Hollberg: fired without explanation. Unusual for a democratic state

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