It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, M. Cristina Vannini, Chair of  INTERCOM

Cristina was an extraordinary professional, a passionate advocate for museums and cultural heritage, and a deeply valued member of the international museum community. Throughout her remarkable career, she dedicated herself to advancing museum management, strengthening international cooperation, and bringing people together across cultures, institutions, and borders.

An archaeologist by training and a museologist by profession, Cristina held numerous important positions within the international museum sector, including National Secretary of ICOM Italy, member of the Board of ICOFOM, and Trustee of the European Museum Forum. She was also the founder of soluzionimuseali-ims, a consultancy dedicated to museums and cultural heritage.

Her commitment to INTERCOM was particularly meaningful. First as Secretary and later as Chair, Cristina devoted her time, energy, and enthusiasm to strengthening our committee and its international community. She believed deeply in the importance of collaboration, dialogue, and the exchange of knowledge, and she worked tirelessly to turn these values into meaningful initiatives.

Yet, beyond her professional achievements, we will remember Cristina above all for the person she was. Her warmth, kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others made working with her a privilege. She had a remarkable ability to bring people together, encourage new ideas, and make everyone feel welcome and appreciated.

For those of us who had the pleasure of working alongside her, Cristina was much more than a colleague. She was a dear friend, a source of inspiration, and an essential part of our INTERCOM family.

Her passing leaves an immense emptiness in our committee and in the wider museum community. But her dedication, her ideas, and the relationships she built will remain with us and continue to inspire our work.

On behalf of the entire INTERCOM Board and community, we extend our deepest condolences to Cristina’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Dear Cristina, thank you for everything you gave us. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

The INTERCOM Board