The Ministry of Culture announces that 11 Italian municipalities have sent the candidacy to contribute to the Italian capital title of book 2026. The announcement ended on May 26, the date within which the Municipalities sent the questions accompanied by dossiers complete to the Department for the Cultural Activities of the Ministry.
The municipalities candidates are: Avezzano (AQ), Maritime Belvedere (CS)Carmagnola (TO), Nardò (Le), Perugia, Pianezza (TO), Pistoia, San Benedetto del Tronto (AP), Soncino (CR), Squillace (CZ) and Tito (PZ).
To identify the new capital for 2026 will be a jury made up of 5 independent experts, of clear fame, in the sector of culture and publishing, identified every year by the Ministry. The Commission, supported by the Technical Secretariat, will identify up to 10 finalist projects by 15 September. The representatives of the finalist municipalities will be summoned to participate in a meeting for the public presentation and the deepening of the dossier.
By October 15, 2025, the jury will submit to the Minister of Culture the project of the city proposed to become the Italian capital of book 2026.
The book, reading, cultural events and activities planned in the dossiers will be protagonists throughout the year and will be able to enhance the cultural offer of the community in a logic of growth and social inclusion. The winning city will be assigned a contribution of 500 thousand euros by the Ministry of Culture.
To win the recognition in recent years were: Chiari (2020), Vibo Valentia (2021)Ivrea (2022), Genoa (2023), Taurianova (2024)while the Italian capital of this year is Subiaco, in Lazio.