Avellino officials clash over Teatro Carlo Gesualdo funding and reopening

Luca Cipriano, Avellino’s Councilor for Culture and Events, has expressed his intention to definitively reopen the Teatro Carlo Gesualdo by the end of the year. Cipriano stated that the theater currently suffers from structural deficiencies and a lack of services and programming, describing the situation as inheriting “cultural ruins.” He noted that PNRR funds will be utilized to secure and relaunch the spaces, with various management models under consideration.

Former Mayor Gianluca Festa has criticized Cipriano’s administration regarding the allocation of funds. Festa alleged that while the Councilor blamed past administrations for the lack of a theatrical season, €250,000 in regional funding from Campania was available for such purposes. Festa claimed these resources were instead diverted to cover approximately €500,000 in expenses for Ferragosto celebrations, accusing the Councilor of spreading “fake news” regarding the city’s cultural budget.