Actors and writers rush to defence of Italy's cultural ambassador

Its attendance list is as impressive as the highest of high-society events. At the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgravia, central London, the beau monde of London's art and literary scenes have become enthusiastic regulars.

The actor Colin Firth has performed public readings from Pirandello, and Hanif Kureishi has talked books with Alessandro Baricco, his Italian bestseller equivalent. Alan Sillitoe, the author of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, pops in while other writers, from Ian McEwan to Sir Tom Stoppard, have contributed to the cultural programme.

In the two years since Dr Mario Fortunato, a 43-year-old novelist from Rome, took up the directorship, there has been an artistic flourish quite different from the dry, restrained atmosphere that prevailed before.

But now supporters fear it is in jeopardy. The director's contract normally runs for four years and is reconfirmed after two, except in cases of gross incompetence. But this time, with not long to go before his second anniversary in the job, there is a peculiar silence from Rome on the subject of Dr Fortunato's future.

Given glowing reports from the government's own assessors for what he has achieved, the suspicion is that the new Italian Prime Minister, the notoriously controlling media magnate Silvio Berlusconi, may have his own man in mind for the plum posting.

Diana Reich, executive director of the international writers' organisation, Pen, said: "One wonders whether the change of government last year has in some way affected the situation." Like others who know the institute, she is baffled at why Dr Fortunato's contract had not yet been reconfirmed when the institute was positively humming with activity. She can certainly think of no reason why a government would not want him to stay.

Concern at the situation has mounted among supporters to the point where Colin Firth, who is known for films such as The English Patient, decided to intervene. It was Firth, who is married to an Italian, who suggested writing to Mr Berlusconi this week to highlight the fears of some of Dr Fortunato's supporters. The letter was also sent to The Independent.

Heading a list which included Salman Rushdie, Harold Pinter, Rupert Everett, Nick Hornby and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Firth said Dr Fortunato had "single-handedly reformed not only the image and reputation of the institute, but also the standard and substance of events".

Dr Fortunato said he could not speak about the situation. But in an interview last year he explained what he thought his job was about. "To get attention for the cultural scene of today. English people are so interested in Italy and they know nothing, in a way. They know just a dead Italy of the past."

So he has won fans by adding contemporary design, cinema and photography to a cultural programme which used to attract ladies in pearls to discuss Old Masters.

Perhaps that is what has alarmed a conservative government back home.