Minister Bogdanović in Italy discussed cultural cooperation with officials of Italian and international institutions

Culture Minister Aleksandar Bogdanović met with the President of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Massimo Inguscio, during his official visit to the Republic of Italy.

On that occasion, Minister Bogdanović expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the CNR, which resulted in a strong progress on archaeological and other research in the area of Duklja in Podgorica.

During the conversation, which was focused on the "Twinning Program", has been confirmed strong support to Montenegro in the process of preservation, protection and valorization of cultural assets.

President Inguscio presented the mechanisms and possibilities of joining the programs of the European Research Institute for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) and the Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities (DARIAH). Interlocutors estimated that this represents a strong potential for improving all segments in the protection and valorization of cultural heritage in Montenegro.

Minister Bogdanović especially emphasised the activities on the development of the map of Duklja in QGIS and the continuation of activities on 3D reconstruction of facilities. He also pointed out the need for cooperation in the part of laser monitoring of the static stability of cultural property objects, with a special emphasis on overcoming the problem of rehabilitation of the Kotor ramparts. It was concluded that through the direct communication and cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the CNR, we are looking at the possibilities of realization of the seismic monitoring project and the risk of immovable cultural property, which would be an important prerequisite for better preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Montenegro.

During his official visit to Italy, Minister Bogdanović met with the Director General of the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Weber Ndoro.

The interlocutors emphasised extremely high quality and meaningful interinstitutional cooperation and expressed readiness to continue with the strengthening of partnership through the transfer of knowledge and training in deficient areas for experts in Montenegro.

Minister Bogdanović also met with the President of the Association AICI (Associazione delle istituzioni di cultura italiane), Valdo Spini.

Minister Bogdanović and the president of the AICI Association noted that, given the fact that the association is represents affiliation of 108 institutions of culture in Italy, there is a possibility of strong inter-institutional cooperation, through the organisation of training in the field of protection and preservation of cultural property related to the management of urban units, in areas where Montenegro has a lack of knowledge.

President Spini has invited Minister Bogdanović to take part in the next conference, organized by the Association of AICI, which will be held in Florence.

Minister Bodganović was also a guest of the National Museum of Art of the 21st Century (MAXXI), where he talked with the Executive Director Pietro Barrera about the possibilities of cooperation.

On this occasion, it was expressed readiness to enable Montenegrin artists from the field of contemporary art to exhibit in this significant Museum, which would be a powerful incentive for their further affirmation.

At the end of the visit, the Minister visited the gallery Chiostro del Bramante as a place where it would be important to organise a presentation of the creativity of Montenegrin artists.

The visit of the Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović is the result of the successful and meaningful cooperation of the two countries. Working meetings with Italian and international institutions were attended by the Montenegrin Ambassador in Italy Sanja Vlahović and the Director of the National Museum Anastazija Miranović.