During the coronavirus pandemic lockdown announced in March 2020, Italian cultural institutions began placing vast collections online and offering free virtual access to major museums, libraries, and performances. The enforced confinement prompted public and private organisations to make cultural materials available through the internet, materials that had previously remained restricted and difficult to access.
Online platforms and resources
The ABCOnlus organisation had been developing beniculturalionline.it since 1998 as a curated archive of cultural sites available for virtual visits. The platform leverages new technologies to allow users to contribute to the promotion of Italy’s cultural heritage, with thousands of users reporting cultural activities and events in their territories. The resource enables visitors to explore important museums worldwide, access the UNESCO World Digital Library with historical texts from all periods, watch opera performances from the Rossini Opera Festival, and view films made available by production companies.
Digital learning and cultural engagement
The period of home confinement offered an opportunity for deeper cultural exploration, particularly for younger people. Access to personalised cultural experiences through online platforms allowed individuals to follow their own interests and passions. The pandemic demonstrated that distance learning and remote access to cultural resources were viable alternatives, while also reducing air pollution as fewer people commuted to physical locations. The enforced shift toward digital engagement revealed the internet’s potential as a tool for cultural knowledge and participation in ways not previously recognised.
Frequently asked questions
What organisations made cultural materials available during the lockdown?
Many public and private cultural institutions placed their collections online, including major world museums, the UNESCO World Digital Library, and the Rossini Opera Festival.
How long had beniculturalionline.it been developing before the pandemic?
The ABCOnlus organisation began developing beniculturalionline.it in 1998, more than two decades before the pandemic.
