The sustainability the theme that will accompany the events of Matera 2019, European Capital of Culture. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for January 19 in the presence of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The city and Basilicata are ready to host events of all kinds, in the face of an unprecedented organizational effort. On the day of the inauguration, over two thousand musicians from the musical bands will cross the districts of Matera to finally find themselves in the Sassi, in those places that have made the city famous all over the world. The "city of national shame", due to the forced cohabitation of thousands of people in rock hovels until the 50s.
La environmental, cultural, economic sustainability will be the leitmotif of every initiative. For two years Matera has already hosted the international meeting on models of hospitality, integration and eco-compatible development. Last year the conference "From the old world comes the new" influenced the choices of the Matera Basilicata Foundation for this year. The Sustainability Model of Aarhus, a city in Denmark, European Capital of Culture 2017, has been thoroughly studied. In 2015, when the Lucanian city won the title for 2019, there was no idea of which model to adopt to manage such a complex machine. However, the companies and industrial groups of excellence in the country immediately proposed themselves to achieve the objectives. The support of the excellences of the business world has been invaluable since the preparation phase of Matera 2019, it is said now.
From the initial contribution of 1,5 million euros recognized by the Melina Mercouri Prize Commission, a total of 250 million euros has been reached. The dossier that made it possible to win the competition from the other five Italian cities (Ravenna, Cagliari, Lecce, Perugia, Siena) has been enriched with ideas, projects, infrastructures, exhibitions, all characterized by respect for the environment, by the use of sources non-polluting energy sources, from local products at zero kilometers, from the use of recyclable materials. Just like two years ago in Aarhus.
The industrial partners have structured their budgets for constant visibility until 20 January 2020, the final day of the event. The stage is international and the commitment of the companies will be summarized in a national conference of Confindustria in September. The President of Matera-Basilicata 2019, Salvatore Adduce, former Mayor of Matera at the time of his candidacy, explained to the deputies of the Culture Commission of the Chamber that the whole of Southern Italy will benefit from everything that has been planned and organized. In recent months, delays have also been made up for in the construction of the connection infrastructures. Part of the 250 million euros (European funds, Pact for Basilicata, regional funds) went to these works. The optimism of Mayor Raffaelle De Ruggeri on everything Matera 2019 "does" is also clear.
Sustainability, finally, is a concept underlying the city's goal of "leading a movement aimed at removing the obstacles that prevent access to culture, through new technologies and learning processes" reads on the Matera 2019 website. Self-defined “visionary” goal. But in a few days it will be pure reality. For those arriving there will be only the embarrassment of extricating themselves from exhibitions, events, appointments, where to rediscover the best relationship between man and the environment. The gaze goes far.
