Long-delayed Brera Modern in Milan set to open in December after 50-year wait
- The Brera Modern gallery in Milan will finally open in December after facing 50 years of delays.
- This museum project has been delayed for decades and outlasted almost 40 Italian governments.
- The long-anticipated inauguration is scheduled to take place later this year.
In Milan, after more than 50 years and 39 Italian governments since its inception, the Brera Modern museum is set to open later this year to showcase modern art from the Pinacoteca di Brera gallery. The new museum, located near the main gallery, has faced various setbacks, including issues with asbestos and the conditioning system. Scheduled to officially open on December 7, the inauguration coincides with the annual gala premiere of La Scala's opera season, drawing attention from the European cultural elite. Angelo Crespi, the new director of Brera, will oversee the opening of the Brera Modern, a project that aims to bring out contemporary artworks that were previously stored away. The initiative is part of efforts by the current government to appoint Italians to lead significant cultural institutions. The former director, James Bradburne, had completed his term and was succeeded by Crespi. The new museum, housed in Palazzo Citterio, has already attracted 30,000 visitors during a temporary exhibition, with plans for summer concerts in the garden. Anticipating an increase in visitors, the Brera, along with the addition of the Brera Modern, is projected to welcome 500,000 visitors this year, surpassing the numbers from the previous year and even pre-pandemic levels. Despite the challenges faced during its development, the Brera Modern aims to become a prominent cultural destination in Milan, showcasing a diverse collection of contemporary art and contributing to the city's vibrant cultural scene.