VENICE TO HOST THE FONDAZIONE ERMITAGE

The Fondazione Ermitage Italia, an Italian organisation linked to the great Russian museum and important cultural and scientific centre, will probably move to the Procuratie Vecchie in St Mark’s square, Venice. After seven years of significant activities, studies, meetings and conferences, the foundation is thought to be ready to leave Ferrara, its current location, due to a lack of funding from the local bodies, primarily the regional, provincial and city council administrations, which financed its main activities. The ‘new’ Ermitage will probably move to Venice and this may be announced next Saturday by the mayor Giorgio Orsoni, who intends housing this very important cultural institution in the part of the Procuratie Vecchie left by Assicurazioni Generali. This is something that many think is already decided and will enrich the St Mark’s area with a new, high-profile cultural presence.