ROME – The third edition of Cantiere Città has begun in Rome, the process of consolidating design capabilities for the cities finalists for the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2026. After the success of the first two editions, the capacity building initiative promoted by Ministry of Culture – Service VI of the General Secretariat – and by the ‘School of Cultural Heritage and Activities Foundation’, to support the cities in the process of implementing the proposals of the candidacy dossiers, consolidate planning skills and give a future to the networks of relationships activate. On 6 and 7 May, two days of opening masterclasses in the presence of representatives of the ten cities finalists for the title for the year 2026: in addition to L’Aquila, the future capital, Agnone (IS), Alba (CN), Gaeta (LT ), Latina, Lucera (FG), Maratea (PZ), Rimini, Treviso, Union of Valdichiana Senese Municipalities.
In the Newspaper Library Hall of the Ministry of Culture, the day of May 6th opened with institutional greetings from the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiulianby Alessandra VictoriniDirector of the ‘School Foundation for Cultural Heritage and Activities’ and Francesca Saccone, manager of Service VI – Events, exhibitions and demonstrations of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Culture. After an introduction to the works entrusted to Francesca Blacksresponsible for the Innovation and Complex Projects Area of the Foundation, the delegations presented their application dossiers, placing emphasis on the concept of the program and describing the vision of the future of their city.
On Tuesday 7 May, in the National Central Library of Rome, the delegations were actively involved in thematic working tables led by experts selected by the ‘School Foundation for Cultural Heritage and Activities’: “City and cultural development”, curated by Rossella Tarantino; “Governance for the cultural city”, edited by Donatella Viscogliosis; “Participatory communication”, edited by Francesco Mannino. The comparison in the thematic tables allowed the identification of the themes that will be explored in greater depth in the subsequent course of Cantiere Città. The conclusion of the day was then dedicated to the reflections and recommendations of the experts.
During 2024 Cantiere Città will continue with three online courses dedicated to the in-depth analysis of significant themes for the implementation of a culturally based development plan; a path dedicated to each city, divided into three workshops (one of which in person in the individual territories and two online); a final event that will once again bring together all the participants of the third edition of the project.
