Wednesday, August 18, 2010

LIGHTS OUT IN SIRACUSA

It is comforting to learn that I am not the only one finding the electricity bills a bit steep these days:  in Siracusa the Castle of Maniace, of which a photograph adorns this blog's header, has been plunged into darkness in the middle of the summer season of concerts and ballets for which it forms a backdrop because the Province's Cultural Department cannot afford to illuminate it.  This leaves audiences watching outdoor shows in a magnificent setting illuminated only by stage lights.

Sicilian politician Fabio Granata finds the situation so absurd that he has offered to switch the Castle lights on and off himself every evening but alas,  it is not only the money to pay an employee to do this that the Province lacks. According to Cultural Heritage Superintendant Mariella Muti her Department does not even have the funding to send out the daily post and  her staff are reduced to hand-delivering or faxing all communications. Central government cuts are to blame and signora Muti says that,  of 1 million euros needed to clean historic sites and monuments in the area, the Department has received only € 100,000.  With regard to the Castle,  the most she will be able to do for the organisers of the remaining seasonal concerts will be to switch on external  floodlights unless the Town Council of Siracusa comes to her aid.



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

How sad is that
may be issue laterns with candles
They did that at one outdoor concert i went to and it was just so atmospheric, it added to the enjoyment.

Saretta said...

If only some of the money wasted on frivolity and lifetime pensions by our politicians could be rerouted to where it is really needed...

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Well If a politician finds it absurd , what are we meant to think!!! Someone needs to investigate Mariella Muti's department ... hand delivering their post, not good signs.

arlene k said...

What a sorry tale...

Ellee Seymour said...

That's a real shame. Our theatre in Cambridge has closed its doors for the whole of August because they say it is their quiet month. I've never known that to happen before.
Perhaps a company could offer to sponsor the lights at this castle in Sicily.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, VM. You might have the solution there! Hi, Saretta. Togethger with money wasted on bellicose enterprises... Hi, Anne. I think her dept needs central government help, quickly. Hi, amethyst. Indeed it is. Hi, Ellee. I suppose everywhere is cutting back. Yes, let's hope a company steps in.

Whispering Walls said...

I'm still amazed they can't use solar power down there

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I don't see how they could install the panels in such an historic building, WW.

LindyLouMac said...

What a tragedy. Have the patrons paid to go to these concerts?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, LindyLouMac. Yes.

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