G7 of Culture, letter from the mayor of Florence

The letter signed by mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, in occasion of the International summit G7 of Culture in Florence.

On March 30 and 31, 2017 Florence will host an international appointment, the G7 of Culture.

For the first time the world’s major countries dedicate an assembly to culture, and we would like to thank the minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini for choosing our city to host this great event: it is an honour and an extraordinary opportunity to show to the world the art and treasures that Florence has held for centuries.

We are glad to welcome ministers and culture representatives of the seven countries with our heritage, our excellencies and our life style. We will listen to experts, specialists and politicians discussing and explaining how art could be saved and recovered, and how to support it as one of our most precious activity, not to make it disappear.

Florence gives its contribution through the value added of its admirable beauty. In order to enhance the exceptionality of this event Florence administration, together with MUS.E, several cultural realities of the area and some sponsors, organizes a full agenda of collateral events dedicated to citizens and tourists.

Among these numerous events, I would like to mention the Palmyra Monumental Arch installation in piazza della Signoria, which was destroyed by Isis in 2015: we want this arch to represent our position against terrorism, every war and every blind violence. Florence as UNESCO World Heritage Site promotes a clear message.

This will be our contribution and challenge.