Agrigento Named Italian Capital of Culture 2025

Agrigento has been proclaimed the Italian Capital of Culture for 2025. The announcement was made by Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture's Sala Spadolini. The Sicilian city was selected from a shortlist of ten finalists: Aosta, Assisi, Asti, Bagnoregio, Monte Sant'Angelo, Orvieto, Pescina, Roccasecca, and Spoleto. Jury President Davide Maria Desario emphasized that the decision was based on the projects presented, not the cities' beauty. He also urged Minister Sangiuliano to support the projects of non-winning cities. The winning project focuses on the relationship between the individual, others, and nature, involving Lampedusa and the province, with themes of hospitality and mobility. It aims to leverage the region's cultural heritage for innovation and socio-economic development, engaging younger generations. Minister Sangiuliano announced the creation of a new title, Italian Capital of Contemporary Art, to be awarded from next year. The Italian Capital of Culture title was established in 2014 by then-Minister Dario Franceschini, inspired by Matera's nomination as European Capital of Culture 2019. Past winners include Cagliari, Lecce, Perugia, Ravenna, Siena, Mantua, Pistoia, Palermo, Parma, Procida, Brescia and Bergamo, and Pesaro. The winning city receives one million euros for project implementation.