The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs takes control of the Palazzo Trevisan in Venice, so far mainly managed by Pro Helvetia. Federal advisers Ignazio Cassis and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider signed a document on Friday. The cultural foundation no longer had the means to pay this Swiss property bought in the 1960s.
“The Palazzo Trevisan has an ambitious future,” said the federal adviser at the head of foreign affairs Ignazio Cassis from the Cité des Doges after the signing of an agreement memorandum.
Economies
Concretely, the DFAE will become the main tenant of the Swiss floor of the Palazzo Trevisan. So far, the Foundation for Pro Helvetia culture had a hand on this place shared with the Swiss consulate. But she has to save money.
The amount of the rental and maintenance of the premises amounts to 220,000 francs per year, specifies Nicolas Bideau, spokesperson for the DFAE. The department counts on various supports to reduce the investment of the Confederation.
No more than a cultural place
The canton of Ticino, represented by the state councilor Marina Carobbio Guscetti in Venice, promised a financial commitment. The government also hopes to obtain support from private partners in the fields of sustainable development, science and innovation.
The DFAE has also focused its communication on the opening of the Palazzo to other areas than that of culture. Pro Helvetia will also participate financially. The sharing of costs depends on the distribution of activities in the building and will be discussed by the end of the year.
Critiques
The organization of cultural residences within the Palazzo had been criticized in Parliament in September. The UDC had accused Pro Helvetia of organizing “holidays” in this building.
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider replied that the supports of these residences were going to be revised, insisting on the need to distinguish what is the consulate and culture. This point will be discussed in the coming months as part of the organization of Pro Helvetia activities, said the communication co -responsible for the Federal Interior Department Christoph Lenz.
Switzerland acquired a floor of the Palazzo Trevisan in 1966, becoming the headquarters of the Swiss Consulate in Venice. The cultural presence in this building has intensified over the years, until Pro Helvetia took over in 2012.
Cups in the budget of the Confederation dedicated to the culture announced last year gave a brake on the activities of the Foundation in Venice. A resale of the building was then fear.
repayment
