Culture archives: Cultural Italian news in English

Bull mosaic in Galreria, Milan which is in need of testicular renovation. Image credit: Getty Images

Milan’s lucky bull gets its testicles restored

May 31, 2026May 31, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Centuries of superstition, millions of grinding heels, and one lucky bull in need of renovation. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II’s most intimate mosaic is back under repair.

François Tomb Image credit: Ministry of Culture, Italy

Italy acquires the François Tomb for €15 million

May 30, 2026May 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

One of the greatest masterpieces of Etruscan painting returns to public ownership after more than 160 years in private hands. The François Tomb goes on display at Rome’s Villa Giulia from 25 June.

Short-stay rentals to be banned in Florence historic centre Time Out places Florence ninth in world for culture

Time Out places Florence ninth best city for culture

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The Tuscan capital, Florence, is the only Italian city in the global top 20 in a Time Out survey. It is recognised for a cultural offering that extends well beyond its Renaissance monuments.

carlo petrini Image credit: Slow Food/Reuters

Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food movement, dies

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The Piedmontese visionary, Carlo Petrini, who turned a protest against McDonald’s into a global food philosophy leaves behind a movement active in 160 countries and an enduring legacy of culinary conscience.

Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino Image credit: Turin Book Fair 2026

Salone Internazionale del Libro closes with record visitors

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The 38th edition of the Salone Internazionale del Libro broke attendance records, filled halls beyond capacity, and confirmed that reading culture in Italy is not only alive but growing younger.

Sal da Vinci comes a creditable fifth at 2026 Eurovision.

Italy finish fifth in Eurovision

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

A Neapolitan love song, a bridal tricolour, and five million Italians watching at home. Italy had plenty to celebrate at a 70th-anniversary Eurovision final shadowed by boycotts and political controversy.

On this day: death of artist Sandro Botticelli

May 17, 2026May 17, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

On 17th May 1510, Florence lost the painter who gave the Renaissance its most enduring face. Sandro Botticelli was a man whose genius was forgotten almost as soon as he died, and whose rediscovery centuries later would reshape how the world understood Italian art.

Zadie Smith will open the Turin Book Fair 2026. Image credit: Turin Book Fair

Turin Book Fair opens with Zadie Smith

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The 38th Salone Internazionale del Libro opens in Turin on Thursday with Zadie Smith delivering the inaugural lecture and Alessandro Baricco staging a night of words and music. The programme spans Greek crime fiction to football legend Roberto Baggio. The whole event is around the theme of children as the world’s last hope.

Bologna illustrator, Cristina Cati, defeats Ikea in copyright case

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Cristina Cati, creator of the Modoro brand, has won a landmark legal battle against the Swedish furniture giant Ikea. One of her illustrations was reproduced without consent and used to decorate a store near Bologna.

Giulio Regeni documentary - officials sacked over refusal of funding

Italy’s culture minister fires top officials over Regeni documentary

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Alessandro Giuli has dismissed the head of his technical secretariat and his personal secretariat chief. The sackings follow revelations that public funding was refused for the Regeni documentary about the murdered Italian researcher.