"The Uffizi was among the first museums to open on December 26 and not only will we do so again this year but, in a very rare case, we will also be opening on Monday January 2.
“We were also the first, or among the first museums to hold a partial opening on the first of January, a few years ago, with great success, especially in terms of afternoon admissions.”
These were the words of Uffizi Director Eike Schmidt on the sidelines of an event in Florence, regarding the museum’s opening hours during the Christmas holidays.
Schmidt spoke with journalists, addressing various topics.
On the long-standing issue of Arata Isozaki's loggia (the canopy planned for the museum's exit), Schdmit referred all decisions to politics:
“Making Isozaki's loggia was an apex political decision. And not making the loggia will also be an apex political decision; it is not up to the director of the Uffizi to make such a decision. When a decision, in one direction or another, is made, then it is clear that I will have to adapt and follow it, which is my task.”
Also responding to those who asked him if he will take part in the museum's director competition, he said:
“I haven't even thought about it, there is so much to do here, there are so many projects to carry out so it is too early to announce a decision. That will be seen in about a year. This is not the time to talk about this, eventual, issue."
On a possible invitation to the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano ― after the controversy over the museum’s closure on All Saints' Day ― to visit the Uffizi, Schmidt replied that “he will certainly come, I will be happy to welcome him”.
Schmidt said that the announcement of staff recruitment in the museums “is an extremely important first step. Not only I, but all of us who work in Italian museums, libraries, and archives are very grateful for this quick action”, moreover, “I speak with Vittorio Sgarbi, the undersecretary for Culture, very often. I am very happy that Vittorio has fought this battle, which is also his with regard to the recruitment needed to be able to open museums.”
