L'Aquila’s cultural surge: inclusive bilingual theater and Capital of Culture 2026 boost tourism

The Teatro San Filippo in L'Aquila staged “La lingua dei sogni – Una voce per tutti”, a bilingual production performed in Italian and Italian Sign Language (LIS). The show, directed by Antonella Alessandro and featuring Giorgina Lo Nardo, attracted a near‑sold‑out audience and was praised by the local branch of the Ente Nazionale Sordi (ENS). ENS President Francesco Mastropietro said, “Assistere a uno spettacolo di questo livello … rappresenta un segnale fondamentale per tutta la nostra comunità.”

Mayor Pierluigi Biondi reported that L'Aquila’s designation as Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2026 is already generating a positive impact. He highlighted increased tourist numbers, fuller hotels, and a broader urban, social and economic transformation. Key events include the Perdonanza Celestiniana, integrated into the cultural programme. Bionro outlined three priorities: consolidating the city’s redevelopment, promoting work, research and innovation, and strengthening L'Aquila’s role as the Abruzzo capital and a hub for the central Apennines.