Under-Secretary Mario Giro, who holds the remit for cultural promotion, extended his congratulations to the Medici Villa and Gardens and Etna for having been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
“With the largest number of UNESCO sites, 49, its 3,400 museums and 2,100 archaeological parks and areas make Italy a major cultural power, and in addition to this Italian is the 5th most studied language in the world”, commented Under-Secretary Mario Giro. According to Giro, “those who choose to study the Italian language and culture don’t do so for utilitarian purposes, but for their potential for creativity, which is enormous. Hundreds of millions of consumers, intellectuals and researchers, along with art, music and design lovers look to Italy and our culture as a source of inspiration and enrichment”.
“Italy intends to strengthen its support for UNESCO”, Giro continued, “in an effort to make it possible for developing countries to make the most of their heritage and respond effectively to illegal trafficking in their cultural assets”.
“The sites included on the list”, the Under-Secretary concluded, “show how inter-institutional cooperation, with a view to subsidiarity and coordination, can lead to positive results for the entire world. This is the route and method to follow in cultural promotion as well”.
