The Calabrian town of Taurianova is the Italian Book Capital for 2024, announced the Culture Ministry.
Today, the Culture Ministry announced the Italian Book Capital of the Year as Taurianova in Calabria.
“The Taurianova project has been awarded because it represents, for a small reality, the road to growth or even rebirth through the creation of cultural, material, immaterial and value-based infrastructures that can also radiate their virtuous effects on the surrounding territory,” stated the jury led by Pierfranco Bruni, a Calabria-born archaeologist, writer, and poet.
The jury specifically “identified in the project presented by the municipality in the Gioia Tauro Plain, also because of its historical and geographical context, an opportunity to create an example of pedagogy of cultural, civil and social redemption.”
Explaining their decision, the jury emphasised the social impact of the project proposal on an area in significant need of cultural support. They underscored the project’s alignment with UNESCO’s definition of the intrinsic value of the cultural and creative sector in fostering social cohesion, educational resources, personal well-being, and economic growth.
The municipalities of Trapani in Sicily, Grottaferrata in Lazio, San Mauro Pascoli in Emilia Romagna, and Tito in Basilicata, which were also contenders for the title of Italian Book Capital 2024, have expressed their intention to appeal against the decision, according to ANSA.
Established in 2020, the Italian Book Capital title aims to cultivate a culture of reading and appreciation for books. A jury appointed by the culture ministry chooses the cities’ short list based on project proposals, with winners receiving funding of up to €500,000.
Previous recipients of the title include Vibo Valentia in Calabria in 2021, Ivrea in Piemonte in 2022, and Genoa in Liguria in 2023.
