The Culture Minister today announced that L’Aquila will be the Italian Capital of Culture 2026.
“L’Aquila has been designated as the Italian Capital of Culture 2026,” announced Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on Thursday.
The minister disclosed this during a ceremony held at the ministry in Rome, in the presence of the jury chaired by journalist and writer Davide Maria Desario.
Among the contenders vying for the €1million in state funding to execute the projects outlined in their proposals were Agnone (province of Isernia), Alba (Cuneo), Gaeta (Latina), Latina, Lucera (Foggia), Maratea (Potenza), Rimini, Treviso, and a consortium of municipalities in Valdichiana Senese (Siena).
“L’Aquila is on the brink of commemorating the 15th anniversary of the earthquake, an event that deeply impacted us not only as institutions but also as citizens,” remarked L’Aquila’s Pierluigi Biondi.
He was referring to the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on April 6, 2009, which claimed 309 lives in the Abruzzo regional capital and its surroundings. It also left 1,500 people injured, displaced tens of thousands, and caused billions of euros in damage to infrastructure and cultural heritage.
“Becoming the Italian capital of culture is not a compensation but a cornerstone around which to reconstruct the social fabric of our community,” Biondi continued.
“Culture is a fundamental element; it signifies the reclamation of identity and propels us towards the future,” he added.
“The other finalist cities will be part of this journey. We assure you that we will rise to the challenge entrusted to us… ¡Viva Italia!”