Reggio Calabria: Prof. Verduci urges cultural strategy to make the city

Reggio Calabria: Prof. Verduci urges cultural strategy to make the city a Mediterranean capital

Professor Saverio Verduci has published an open letter to Reggio Calabria's mayoral candidates, urging a strategic orientation that places culture and tourism at the heart of the city's development. Verduci argues that short-term management of issues cannot replace a long-term vision that leverages Reggio's layered historical identity.

In his intervention, Verduci outlines operational and measurable proposals aimed at turning cultural assets into an economic and social driver while improving connections between the port, the airport, the railway and the historic center.

• Integrated cultural network: position the National Archaeological Museum as the hub for routes including hypogea, Greek walls, Roman baths and the Aragonese castle, supported by a single digital ticket.
• Urban regeneration and waterfront: modernize the passenger terminal, enhance cruise reception and link the seafront to suburbs through targeted regeneration projects.
• Territorial branding: promote bergamot and the Mediterranean diet with dispersed museums, sensory trails and initiatives that connect the city to the Aspromonte Grecanic area and the Costa Viola.
• Cultural governance: appoint a high-profile, technical-cultural councillor and create a permanent cultural council composed of academics and local associations.
• Youth and digitalization: invest in workshops, school programs and full digitalization of collections to evolve Reggio into a "smart cultural city".

Verduci's call ends with an appeal to candidates to convert these proposals into concrete commitments and funding, to restore civic pride and ensure that identity and innovation guide the city's medium- and long-term recovery.