Italian cities named finalists for 2027 Italian Book Capital

Seven Italian municipalities have been selected as finalists for the title of 'Capitale Italiana del Libro 2027' following official hearings at the Ministry of Culture. The finalists include Chiaromonte, Teramo, and Monreale, among others.

Chiaromonte, representing the Basilicata region, presented a project titled ‘Le trame di Calliope’. The proposal focuses on ‘cultural welfare,’ suggesting that reading and books can serve as public health infrastructure. The initiative aims to allow medical professionals to ‘prescribe’ cultural activities, such as reading groups, to combat social isolation and anxiety.

Teramo’s candidacy, titled ‘Teramo e le sue Valli,’ is a collaborative effort involving 20 municipalities and various local associations. The project emphasizes using culture and reading to strengthen community ties and territorial identity.

Monreale, the only municipality from Southern Italy to reach the final stage, presented the project ‘Monreale legge il mondo.’ The proposal highlights the city’s historical connection to books, utilizing its local libraries and historical heritage to address issues such as school dropout rates and cultural accessibility.