Leadership instability and calls for reform at Fondazione |

Daniele Pitteri has resigned from his position as superintendent of the Fondazione INDA (Istituto Nazionale del Dramma Antico) in Syracuse after approximately one to one and a half years in the role.

The resignation reportedly stems from disagreements with the foundation’s governance and managing director, Marina Valensise, regarding artistic direction, organizational choices, and the division of duties between artistic and administrative management. This departure follows previous resignations by Antonio Calbi and Valeria Told, marking the third significant leadership change in recent years.

Local political groups, including Sinistra Italiana, Fratelli d’Italia, and the Democratic Party, have called for increased transparency and institutional accountability. The Democratic Party has specifically requested a city council session to allow the Mayor, who serves as the foundation’s president, to report on the situation.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Sicilian regional deputy Carlo Auteri has called for the Ministry of Culture to reform the rules and governance of the Fondazione INDA. Auteri argues that the instability is systemic rather than a result of personal friction, noting that previous concerns raised by the Court of Auditors regarding the problematic division of duties between the managing director and the superintendent remain unaddressed. Auteri warned that initiating a new selection process without addressing these underlying statutory issues would likely fail to resolve the recurring conflicts within the institution. He has specifically urged for clearer definitions regarding artistic direction, resource management, and the actual autonomy granted to the superintendent role.