After an intense year of activity, with over 300 cultural events including meetings, presentations, festivals, conferences, exhibitions and workshops, which made the Calabrian city a real permanent laboratory for promoting reading, Taurianova concludes his path as the Italian capital of book 2024 and prepares to pass the witness to Subiaco, designated Italian capital of the book for 2025. To celebrate an extraordinary year, a special final event was called tonight in the heart of the Piana di Gioia Tauro in the presence of institutional representatives, citizens, associations and loyal public.
The event was not only a moment of celebration, but also an opportunity to strengthen the link between Taurianova and Subiaco, two cities united by love for books and culture. A passage of witness that symbolizes the continuity and sharing of fundamental values for the growth of the country. The capital of the book has entrusted to Taurianova a cultural protagonism capable of generating concrete impacts in the area. Symbolic and operational heart of the project was the reopening of the historic municipal library “Antonio Renda”, which welcomed more than 3,000 appearances in 43 weeks, issued 348 new cards and enriched the book heritage with over 4,000 new volumes. A heritage that continues to grow and that will be further expanded thanks to the will expressed, a few days ago, by the daughter of prof. Vincenzo Ricci to donate the vast book collection of his father. Thanks to this donation, the library will establish a medical section, offering the community a precious heritage of volumes specialized in the medical field. But the real value was to transform the library into a lively and accessible garrison, open to all generations, with a programming attentive to fragility and educational needs, in particular of the youngest. Actions against educational poverty, training courses, involvement of schools, activities for children and families have made culture a meeting and inclusion space. Among the most important appointments include “Taurianova Law”, the book Fair, the “International Conference of Literary Critics”, the “Calabrian narratives” festival, the festival dedicated to the boys “Two seas and many thousand stories”, the review “Law and legality – The voices of justice”, the “Born for Culture” project and the numerous awards hosted in the city such as the “Calabria -America Prize” Taurianovesi figures, such as the philosopher Antonio Renda and the artist Pietro Barillà.
Collaborations with important foundations such as that of Maestro Berlingeri, Fortunato Seminara, and Corrado Alvaro, as well as partnerships with consolidated events such as the South Agrifest village – Festival of Cooperation, the Infiorata, the International Festival of the Madonnari – City of Taurianova, and the initiatives promoted by the numerous associative realities of the territory “Taurianova in the heart were also significant. That, to continue the activity of promoting reading beyond the capital of the book, is also installing houses for booksharing in the city, small book points of exchange books spread in the area, with the aim of making reading more and more accessible and shared within the community. The suburbs become center: regenerating with reading for too long, Taurianova was told through the deforming lens of the black news. With the Italian capital of book 2024, the city has chosen to change the plot. He took the pen of his history in his hand and decided to rewrite it starting from the books, the community, the beauty of the ties. The project presented to the Ministry of Culture has put the idea that the deepest processes of change can be born from the smaller realities, precisely because they are more rooted in everyday life and shared values. “The words save,” said Carmine Abate, one of the most loved guests, speaking to young people during Taurianova law. And those words, shared among the school desks, in the courtyards, in the squares, have become a new grammar of civil life. “Young people need adults who believe in something,” said Umberto Galimberti during one of the most participated meetings of the year.
And Taurianova capital of the book tried to respond to this need, with a project that has returned the trust in thought, reflection, in the word as a common good to the community. There is no suburb that cannot become a center, if you invest in culture. “Taurianova has been able to fully grasp the meaning of this title – commented Pierfranco Bruni, president of the MIC Commission for the capital of book 2024 -. The project had a real impact on the territory and has turned on the spotlight on a South that affirms itself as a cultural laboratory. The hope is that this experience inspires other communities to invest in culture as a development engine ». “Taurianova won his bet, and won it great – said the president of the center for the book and reading, Adriano Monti Buzzetti, in a video message -. The city has been able to transform itself into a driving force of cultural promotion, and the reopening of the civic library has become its symbol “.
“It was an intense and unforgettable year – says the mayor of Taurianova Rocco Biasi -. We have worked to grow awareness that culture is not a luxury, but a right. Taurianova has opened up to the country and launched a message: the South can be the protagonist of the Italian cultural rebirth ».
“The witness who will pass to Subiaco is made of values and vision – adds Maria Fedele, councilor for culture and director of Taurianova capital of book 2024 -. We have shown that even a small town can guide a cultural change. Our model will continue to live in the daily practices of those who believed in this path ». Filippo Mancuso, president of the Calabria Region Council, said: «Taurianova has shown that authentic changes of change can also be born from smaller places. The Italian capital project of the book has returned pride to an entire community, capable of investing in education in reading and active citizenship. An experience that has traced a clear route and that, as institutions, we will continue to support with conviction ». Antonello Aurigemma, president of the Council of the Lazio Region, said: «We proudly welcome the legacy left by Taurianova. Subiaco represents a symbolic place, linked to the memory of the press and monasticism, and will be able to collect this challenge with energy and vision. Culture is a collective responsibility and we are ready to support it ». Grazia Timperi, Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Subiaco, commented: “Taurianova has done an important job, promoting reading as a tool for growth and territorial identity. Subiaco is ready to collect this challenge, thanks to its history, being the city where in 1465 the first mobile character in Italy was printed. This title is an opportunity to look to the future, involving the entire Aniene valley in a large laboratory of culture, innovation and development “. Caterina Capponi, Councilor for Culture of the Calabria Region, added: «Taurianova represented a virtuous example of how culture can positively affect the territory for Calabria. The entire project created ties, strengthened identity and open new possibilities, especially for the younger generations ».
Carmelo Versace, deputy mayor of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, said: “Taurianova has been able to demonstrate how culture can become a regeneration engine and cohesion tool. The year as an Italian capital of the book had a concrete impact, which goes beyond the municipal borders, strengthening the identity of an entire metropolitan area “.