Mirabella Eclano Bids for Italian Capital of Culture 2028

Mirabella Eclano, a town of 6,700 in Avellino province, has submitted its candidacy for Italian Capital of Culture 2028 under the dossier 'L’Appia dei Popoli – Incubatrice di Art Thinking'. The deadline for submissions was September 25, 2025. The town comprises four hamlets: Mirabella, Passo, Pianopantano, and Calore. The area holds archaeological significance in the Parco di Aeclanum, predating the Appian Way. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, MIC Director General Luigi Osanna, and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi recently visited to guarantee funds for continued excavations. Francesco Cascino serves as artistic director, working with Assessor Raffaella Rita D’Ambrosio, Mayor Giancarlo Ruggiero, and a selected team. The project emphasizes art thinking, connecting archaeology with contemporary art, and involves public art, installations, theater, cinema, music, dance, performance, and hybrid projects. It aims for active participation from the entire Irpinia region, focusing on territorial development and human and urban regeneration. Cascino is founder of Art Thinking Project ETS and director of SEF Consulting's 'Disruptive Culture for Economy' function.