by InTrieste
In a packed former convent of San Francesco, the air was thick with anticipation. A moment of suspense gave way to jubilation as Italy’s Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli took the stage and made the announcement: “The jury unanimously recommends Pordenone as the Italian Capital of Culture 2027.” The room erupted in applause.
For the small northeastern city, long known for its literary and cinematic traditions, the designation is a historic milestone—one that highlights its evolving cultural landscape and the increasing recognition of Friuli Venezia Giulia as a region of artistic and intellectual significance.
A Vision of Tradition and Innovation
The jury’s official motivation described Pordenone’s cultural model as “innovative and inclusive,” a fusion of “tradition and contemporaneity.” While initially vague, the vision crystallized through the city’s deep-rooted ties to cinema, literature, and a broader commitment to sustainable cultural development.
Luca Ciriani, Minister for Parliamentary Relations, hailed the decision as a “remarkable achievement,” while Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional president, Massimiliano Fedriga, called it further proof of the region’s “centrality” in Italy’s cultural landscape. The victory coincides with another major cultural moment for the region: Gorizia and neighboring Nova Gorica’s tenure as the 2025 European Capital of Culture.
A City Built on Literature and Film
Pordenone has long been a hub for literary and cinematic excellence. The annual Pordenonelegge literary festival, a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life, played a crucial role in the bid’s success. Michela Zin, director of the Pordenonelegge Foundation, reflected on the moment with pride: “This is a wonderful result that fills us with pride. We have dedicated years to promoting books and sharing our city’s story with the world. Now, we are ready to work toward this goal for 2027.”
The city’s emphasis on the intersection of culture and sustainable development also resonated with the jury. Andrea Malacart, Director of Development and Territory, underscored the collaborative nature of the project: “As Mayor Parigi said in Rome, ‘This is not the project of a single municipality, but of a community.’ That sentence, to me, summed up the entire project.”
A Model of Cultural Cohesion
Beyond the literary scene, Pordenone’s bid was distinguished by its ability to unify diverse cultural and economic forces. Paolo Rambaldini, president of BCC Pordenonese e Monsile, emphasized the project’s spirit of collaboration: “Cohesion has been rewarded. We wanted to be part of this endeavor, bringing together the different souls of our city and, above all, the surrounding territories.”
As preparations begin for 2027, Pordenone finds itself at the heart of Italy’s cultural conversation. The city’s leaders, artists, and institutions are now tasked with transforming this recognition into lasting cultural and economic growth—a challenge they seem eager to embrace.
