Mérida – On 30 July, Ambassador Buccino Grimaldi, accompanied by the Consul General in Madrid, Spartaco Caldararo, and First Political Counsellor Marco Lapadura, visited Mérida, where he met with the city’s mayor, Antonio Rodríguez Osuna. During the meeting, he shared the most recent data concerning the Italian community in the city, which is part of the approximately 1,000 Italian citizens registered with AIRE. Mayor Rodríguez Osuna highlighted Mérida’s Roman roots (the ancient Augusta Emerita) and the strong connection of its citizens with Roman culture. The city’s ambitious cultural policy was discussed, particularly its success in hosting events and cultural festivals year-round, which has led to the de-seasonalisation of tourist flows. The mayor also presented Mérida’s model of governance for its Roman archaeological heritage – including the Roman theatre, amphitheatre, Temple of Diana, Arch of Trajan, the Los Milagros aqueduct, the Roman bridge over the Guadiana River, and the National Museum of Roman Art. These are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the Consorcio Ciudad Monumental, which includes regional entities (the Municipality and the Autonomous Community of Extremadura) and the State. This model promotes sustainable development of cultural heritage through important restoration, tourism initiatives, and international collaboration. The ambassador and the mayor discussed exchanges between Mérida and Italy, such as those with Ostia Antica, and noted the numerous Italian performances held at the Roman theatre. The ambassador expressed strong appreciation for the International Classical Theatre Festival as a cultural bridge between Italy and Spain and a valuable opportunity for artistic and academic cooperation between the two countries. The ambassador also met with several members of parliament from the Autonomous Community of Extremadura to discuss the political and economic landscape and explore ways to further strengthen cooperation. Italy is currently the fourth largest market for Extremadura, which exports around 70% of its olive oil to Italy, and it is the region’s seventh-largest supplier. (9colonne)