Elena Fontanella is the new director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid.

Elena Fontanella is the new Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid, appointed following a call for applications issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. A journalist, essayist, curator, and university professor, Elena Fontanella graduated with honors in Classics from the University of Turin, establishing herself as a leading figure in the Italian cultural scene for decades.

His career boasts extensive experience in cultural diplomacy, heritage promotion, and international planning. He has held academic positions in Aesthetics at the University of Milan, in Medieval History at the Catholic University of Milan, and in History of Roman Art at the Botticino Restoration University of Valore Italia. He collaborated with the Ministry of Culture until 2024, implementing international projects and leading, as president, Committees for National Celebrations.

Most recently, he served as Advisor for Culture alongside Giorgio Mulè, former Undersecretary for Publishing and Communications at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers – now Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies.

A strong identity, hospitality, attractiveness, and promotion of the Italian language: these are the cornerstones on which Elena Fontanella intends to immediately orient her career at the helm of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid.

In Fontanella's vision, the Abrantes Palace is a cultural icon of Italianness: a true "Palazzo Italia," capable of animating the cultural landscape and imagination of the people of Madrid—and the many Italians living in Spain—with the evocative power of a brand recognizable everywhere and by all.

Particular attention will be paid to programs to strengthen and deepen the Italian language, differentiating an already excellent offering that currently counts over 500 students.

Elena Fontanella intends to strengthen the Italian cultural presence throughout western Spain through decentralized activities, teasers of major Italian events, and joint initiatives with various Italian institutions present in Spain.

Among the strategic objectives are the creation of a Board of Donors reserved for Italian companies operating in Spain and the "Palazzo Italia" Club, aimed at freelancers, cultural operators, and Made in Italy stakeholders. The "Friends of the Institute" network will also be strengthened and the involvement of younger generations will be enhanced through targeted initiatives.