What Culture Decree 2025 contains

In this article we will briefly analyse what the reactions of the Italian press were to the Culture Decree wanted by Minister Alessandro Giuli. A plan that, we anticipate immediately, is considered somewhat ‘light and shade’ by the publishing world.

What the Culture Decree contains

First of all, it should be specified that the DL Cultura (passed on 13 December 2024) is already a law of the State, having been approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on 19 February. The law has two cornerstones: cultural cooperation with Africa and the wider Mediterranean and the so-called ‘Olivetti Plan for Culture’.

Cultural Cooperation with Africa and the Wider Mediterranean

This measure envisages a mission unit to coordinate cultural cooperation projects and interventions with African states and international organisations and to support cultural realisation projects in southern areas. The structure will have to work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Antonio Tajani’s ministry).

Olivetti Plan for Culture

The main cornerstone of the law is named after Adriano Olivetti, an industrialist and leading figure in the Italian economic boom, famous for his typewriters, as well as a writer and publisher. Although the implementing decrees that should give practical substance to the measures are missing, the guidelines outline the strategy that will be adopted. As Minister Giuli himself stated: ‘The plan aims to promote the cultural regeneration of the suburbs, inland areas and disadvantaged areas.’

In the plan, there are three investments to support publishing and the book and library sector. The first, EUR 30 million, is for the purchase of books by historical and local libraries. After that, EUR 3 million is aimed at encouraging the opening of new bookshops by under-35s. Finally, EUR 1 million will support the sale of books in small towns (less than 5,000 inhabitants). 25 million will be allocated as early as 2025, with the last 5 million in 2026. In addition to this allocation, a further EUR 10 million will be earmarked to expand the cultural offer of newspapers, increasing the entertainment and culture sections.

What else the Culture Decree contains

Additionally, the measure also funds five institutes: the National Historical Council, the Domus Mazziniana, the Shoah Memorial Foundation of Milan, the Italian Historical Institute for Modern and Contemporary Ages and the Italian Institute for Ancient History. The first institute, the Historical Council, is also subsidised with an additional EUR 200,000 to promote and produce critical editions of works by relevant 19th and 20th century personalities. Half a billion euro is also allocated to the Foundation Museum of Contemporary Photography. Finally, EUR 800,000 is earmarked for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the European Landscape Convention.

Measures are also introduced to simplify interventions on cultural heritage, the audiovisual sector and cinema. For example, a new category of works ‘not suitable for children under 10’ is created and the maximum deadline by which exhibitors must send the invoice to take advantage of the 18app culture bonus is set.

The reactions of the Italian publishing industry

Although the allocation of funds is certainly good news for the entire sector, the quantity and modalities were received with some concern by representatives of the Italian press and publishing industry. On 21 February, the presidents of seven associations of booksellers, publishers and librarians expressed their fears about the amount of the planned funds. Quantity reported as decreasing in comparison to the past and which seems to be decreasing even more in the future.

Particularly under indictment was the allocation of funds for the purchase of new books by libraries, seen as an important support for the whole sector in these difficult years. The fund, earmarked by former Culture Minister Franceschini in 2020, provided EUR 30 million per year. In 2024, the then Minister of Culture Sangiuliano cancelled the allocation, while now the new minister Giuli has reconfirmed it, albeit halved compared to the original, since the 30 million is distributed between 2025 and 2026.

Concerns were also directed at the law’s other initiatives. With regard to the opening of new libraries by the under-35s, the problem of long-term maintenance of the initiative was pointed out, since the difficulty for this type of activity is often survival over the years. The measure aimed at municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants was also criticised, since it is reported that 21.1% of the Italian population, living in municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants, does not have access to a nearby library and therefore the initiative would seem to lack a clear target.