Edicola 518 Turns Perugia's Billboards into Blank Pages for Public Expression
Edicola 518, a cultural initiative stemming from the renovated newsstand in Perugia's Borgo Bello area, marks its tenth anniversary by launching 'L'Edicola che vorrei' on July 15, 2025. This project will convert 400 public billboards into platforms for local expression, allowing residents to showcase slogans, poetry, or artwork. Backed by researchers Francesca Gotti and Giovanni Galanello, it secured the sixth edition of the Laboratorio Creatività Contemporanea grant from the Italian Ministry of Culture. The celebration will peak with the restoration of the original kiosk on June 1, 2026, and will feature community events like 'Radio Edicola' in September 2025. Co-founder Antonio Brizioli describes the project as a vital resource for urban renewal, aiming to document future initiatives.
Key facts
- Edicola 518 is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025-2026.
- 400 public billboards in Perugia have been turned into blank spaces for public expression starting July 15, 2025.
- The project is called 'L'Edicola che vorrei' and won the Laboratorio Creatività Contemporanea grant from the Italian Ministry of Culture.
- The physical restoration and reopening of the kiosk is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
- Radio Edicola, a self-managed radio point, will launch in the third week of September 2025.
- Edicola 518 is now a cooperative with six employees and three spaces: the kiosk, bookshop Paradiso 518, and wine bar Quasi 518.
- The project has inspired a national trend of repurposing old newsstands as cultural hubs.
- Researchers Francesca Gotti and Giovanni Galanello are collaborating on the initiative.
Entities
Artists
- Antonio Brizioli
- Alberto Brizioli
- Francesca Gotti
- Giovanni Galanello
Institutions
- Edicola 518
- Paradiso 518
- Quasi 518
- Centro Internazionale di Ricerca sulle Convivialità Elettriche
- Ministero della Cultura
- Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea
- Artribune
Locations
- Perugia
- Italy
- Borgo Bello
- Sant'Ercolano