The race for the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2028 is in full swing. The jury appointed by the Ministry of Culture has selected the ten finalist projects that will compete for the award, one of the most coveted in the national cultural landscape, capable of guiding policies, investments, and visions of territorial development.
After evaluating the applications submitted within the deadline, the selection process rewarded proposals from diverse backgrounds, sizes, and identities, united by the ambition to use culture as a lever for growth and cohesion. Anagni reached the finals with the project "Hernica Saxa. Where History Binds, Culture Unites," Ancona with "Ancona. This Now," Catania with "Catania Continues," Colle di Val d'Elsa with "Colle28. For Everyone, Everywhere," Forlì with "The Paths of Beauty," Gravina in Puglia with "Roots to the Future," Massa with "The Moon, the Stone. Where the Tyrrhenian and Apuan Seas Meet History," Mirabella Eclano with "The Appian Way of the People," Sarzana with "The Fearless. Sarzana, Crossroads of the Future," and Tarquinia with "Culture is Flight."
The next step will be the public hearings, scheduled for Thursday, February 26th and Friday, February 27th, 2026, in the Spadolini Hall of the Ministry of Culture. Each city will have a total of one hour to present its project in detail and answer questions from the jury, in a discussion that promises to be crucial. The hearings will be livestreamed on the Ministry's YouTube channel, ensuring maximum transparency throughout the selection process.
The Italian Capital of Culture 2028 is expected to be announced by March 27, 2026. The winning city will receive a grant of one million euros, earmarked for the implementation of the initiatives outlined in the application and for strengthening the local cultural offering. This investment, over the years, has proven to leave a lasting impact well beyond the year of the title, transforming culture into a concrete driver of development.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's interesting to see how the cities are preparing for this important award. Each of them has a unique project, but I don't know if it will be enough to win. Let's hope the jury is fair in evaluating everyone.