L'Aquila pushes post‑earthquake revival with new public‑art scheme and reopened church

The Ufficio speciale per la ricostruzione dei Comuni del cratere (USRC) has issued two new calls that complete the operational phase of the "Segni e Voci di Paesaggio" public‑art project. The scheme, funded by the Restart program and the Italian Culture Capital plan, allocates €20,000 to each of 61 municipalities in the 2009 earthquake area to commission contemporary artworks. It also creates a three‑year shortlist of Italian and international artists and a shortlist of host facilities for artists, researchers and curators.

In the same region, the Church of the Immacolata Concezione in Paganica reopened to worship after 17 years of closure caused by severe earthquake damage. The restoration, costing about €900,000 and overseen by Archbishop Antonio D'Angelo, included structural repairs and external works, and was marked by a solemn procession and Mass. Both initiatives are presented as symbols of cultural renewal and community resilience in L'Aquila.