Minister Giuli: “Naples, capital of world cultural citizenship”
With these words, the Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli opened his speech at the UNESCO Conference Cultural Heritage in the 21st Century, hosted in the Campania capital.
An event of international importance that confirms the role of Naples as a crossroads of cultures and a symbol of global dialogue, strongly desired by the Italian government and by the vice-president Antonio Tajani, in continuity with the former minister Gennaro Sangiulian.
During his speech, Giuli underlined the unique vocation of Naples, “a meeting place of multiple cultures” since its foundation, a safe haven for peoples from Africa, the East and the Mediterranean.
“This city is a natural bridge between Europe and Africa, a place of union, of conjunction, of glances,” declared the minister, highlighting the multifaceted cultural heritage that makes Naples an invaluable patrimony, where material and immaterial testimonies blend into a beauty capable of “confusing” those who admire it.
The choice of Naples as a permanent venue for reflection on global cultural heritage, in synergy with UNESCO, is not accidental. “Things never happen by chance and not in random places,” continued Giuli, underlining how the city represents the ideal place to discuss the identity value of cultural heritage, its potential as a lever for sustainable development, work and progress, but also its fragilities.
In an era marked by conflicts, climate change and digital revolutions, the minister called for the urgency of a global dialogue to address the challenges related to the protection and transmission of cultural heritage to future generations.
“We must not resign ourselves to pessimism,” added Giuli, inviting us to find shared answers through the exchange of experiences, skills and knowledge. This is the “Spirit of Naples”: a vision of dialogue, peace and international cooperation that places the city at the center of a global commitment to safeguarding culture.
The UNESCO Conference is thus a crucial moment to strengthen the role of Naples as a cultural capital, capable of inspiring governments and peoples in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Article published on 4 June 2025 - 15:21
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