The Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing meets with the Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO

Paris, March 19, 2025 – A delegation from the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing paid an official visit to the Residence of Ambassador Liborio Stellino, Permanent Representative of Italy to UNESCO. The delegation was composed of President Federico Sacchi, Professor Rosanna Savoia (representing the panel of experts), and Dr. Mariano Festa (on behalf of Teatro alla Scala). Also present was Dr. Giovanni Scepi, Head of the Programme Management Unit of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Entity.

The meeting, held in a spirit of institutional collaboration, marked an important step in implementing the international guidelines set for elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The key topics addressed included:

• The role of the Committee, which was reaffirmed as a network hub aimed at connecting institutions, cultural organizations, and artistic communities to foster a collaborative, participatory, and dynamic approach to safeguarding Italian opera singing;

• Strategies for promotion and collaboration, including dialogue with various UNESCO networks (Creative Cities, Associated Schools, University Chairs) and synergies with other intangible heritage elements, both nationally and internationally – especially during symbolic moments such as the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage (October 17) and the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Committee (December 8–13, 2025);

• Identification of funding opportunities to support the Committee’s initiatives, including national public funds (from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), European cohesion funds through regional and local governments, as well as private foundations and sponsorships, drawing inspiration from successful models adopted by other UNESCO-recognized heritage elements;

• Monitoring of the Safeguarding Plan, scheduled for December 2027, which will provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the actions undertaken, review the plan based on achievements, and renew public attention to the recognition granted.

Finally, an online presentation of the Committee to Ambassador Stellino was proposed, in order to further strengthen institutional dialogue and coordination on future actions.

The Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing reaffirms its commitment to working in a spirit of cooperation and openness, in line with UNESCO’s principles, to ensure the vitality and transmission of a tradition that represents one of the highest expressions of Italy’s cultural identity.