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Matera 2019: Half of Cultural Program Revealed a Year Early

festival-fair · 2026-05-05

In Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Matera, recognized as the 2019 European Capital of Culture, initiated its countdown with a 19-meter tall cardboard installation by French artist Olivier Grossetête, representing collective building efforts. Director Paolo Verri revealed that half of the cultural agenda has been disclosed a year ahead of schedule, featuring four significant exhibitions: 'Ars Escavandi' (January 20, 2019), 'Rinascimento Riletto' (April 21, 2019), a Pythagoras exhibition (June 21, 2019), and 'Osservatorio dell’Antropocene' by Armin Linke. Local leaders will contribute to 50% of the programming. Key initiatives include 'Teatro eco-logico e sostenibile' and 'Architetture della Vergogna.' A call for proposals for a new museum, 'Matera, City of culture,' is open until April 30, 2018.

Key facts

  • Matera is European Capital of Culture for 2019.
  • A 19-meter cardboard sculpture by Olivier Grossetête was built and destroyed in Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
  • Paolo Verri is Director of Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019.
  • 50% of the cultural program was announced one year early.
  • Four major exhibitions are scheduled: by Pietro Laureano, Marta Ragozzino, Piergiorgio Odifreddi, and Armin Linke.
  • 27 local project leaders were selected to create half the program.
  • Projects include Teatro eco-logico, Architetture della Vergogna, Storylines, and Mamma mia!
  • A museum design competition is open until April 30, 2018, on Instaura.it.

Entities

Artists

  • Olivier Grossetête
  • Pietro Laureano
  • Marta Ragozzino
  • Piergiorgio Odifreddi
  • Armin Linke
  • Paolo Verri
  • Ariane Bieou

Institutions

  • Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019
  • Teatri Uniti di Basilicata
  • Architecture of Shame
  • Youth Europe Service
  • Casa Netural
  • Instaura.it
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Matera
  • Italy
  • Piazza Vittorio Veneto
  • Basilicata
  • Terni
  • La Valletta
  • Malta
  • via d'Addozio

Sources