New director for Galleria dell'Accademia

DW: Ms. Hollberg, you've directed the State Museum in Brunswick - a house of culture and art. However, soon you will work in the company of a famous young man: Michelangelo's David. Are you looking forward to it?

Cecilie Hollberg: Of course. This is such an incredible challenge and role. This is unique.

The Galleria dell'Accademia houses the world's largest collection of Venetian paintings, from the Gothic to the Rococo. Now a German is at the forefront of this Italian cultural institution. A coincidence?

A coincidence? There was a selection process, a normal application procedure. Incidentally, the Galleria also hosts a very important collection of musical instruments, which most likely date back to the Medici family.

Are we seeing an invasion of experienced German cultural managers in Italy?

Well, there have been a total of 20 new curators appointed. Of these, seven are foreigners, as in non-Italian. Amongst these seven, three are German. I would not call that an invasion.

What does this tell us about the German museum landscape?

It is quite new that there are foreign museum managers now in Italy. We already know this in Germany, where there are foreigners who lead museums. At the universities, there are professors from all over the world. They are chosen based on qualifications, application procedures and knowledge. Now this has come to Italy, at the request of the Minister of Culture. And this resulted in a gigantic undertaking in which at least 1,200 people applied.

So "normality" finally comes to the Italian museums?

It's hard to say what is normal. It's just change. And you have to observe how this change is reflected in everyday life. It's not like we're all expected to suddenly have wands and perform miracles. At a stroke, they have suddenly instilled 20 museums with new directors. This, per se, is already a big change. This applies to foreigners as well as Italians.

What do you hope these reforms will achieve?

The reforms should bring the museums of Italy, which are decades behind as the Minister of Culture says, into the present. He wants a breath of fresh air. And then we'll see if we can reach new audiences with new ideas. But this also does not mean we transform everything. We must sit and consider: where can we perhaps best target our arrows in a different direction.

In which direction will you target your arrows?

I cannot say in advance, since much remains to be discussed, in our house, with other houses, with the ministry. It's not like I am arriving with a bag full of wondrous things and saying, "This is how it's done." It needs to develop.

So we'll need to wait to see what'll be implemented. However, what do you have on your wish list? What would you like to change?

I won't speak of miracles in advance (laughs). Of course, it is expected that now big miracles will come. But one must take stock of the situation first. This is what I also did in Brunswick.

What potential do you see in the Galleria dell'Accademia?

This is one of the most prestigious museums in the world. I am proud and glad that now I can take on this position. This is already an honor and a gift.