Bruno Zevi and cultural degradation of the Italian university in the 1970s

Abstract

Related to research activities and translation of important texts to the historiography of architecture, and supported by the Research Project “Representations: treaties and manifest” at the USJT, this article presents, translates and comments the text “ Sfascio universitario e degrado culturale”, written by the italian architect and historian Bruno Zevi. Published in 1979, at the renowned magazine L’architettura - cronache e storia, that Zevi directed himself, the text explains the reasons for the historian to apply to an early retirement from the position of Gownsman Professor at the University of Rome. The severe criticisms of the university situation of that time, present in the publication, can be considered, even today, as very timely and certainly represent a clear sample of the provocative thought of the illustrious author.