This morning , the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano , chaired a meeting at the Collegio Romano to discuss the possibility of a restriction on the Metropolitan cinema in Naples.
The meeting was attended, among others, by ABAP's general manager, Luigi La Rocca; by the minister's advisor, Luciano Schifone ; by the deputy mayor of Naples, Laura Lieto ; by the facility's managers; and by representatives of Banca Intesa Sanpaolo , which owns the premises. The president of Banca Intesa Sanpaolo, Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, and the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi , were also connected via video conference .
We must make every concerted effort to save the Metropolitan and prevent the historic cinema from becoming a bingo hall or a supermarket. Banca Intesa has announced its intention to sell the property, but will have to comply with the requirements that will be imposed if such a decision is made.
The Metropolitan was one of the most prestigious and largest theaters in Europe. We must preserve this memory of the city at all costs: the historic cinema in Chiaia must remain an authoritative cultural hub for Naples,” said Sangiuliano.
