From 21 to 23 October, the UNESCO event ‘Towards a Naples Biennale on Cultural Heritage’ took place at the Girolamini Monumental Complex. It was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the City of Naples. This new and significant event, which forms part of the packed programme of celebrations marking the 2,500-year history of the city of Naples, builds on the legacy of the previous editions of the ‘Naples Conference on Cultural Heritage in the 21st Century’ (2023 and 2025), which focused on synergies and interactions between UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions and a holistic, people-centred approach to heritage – both tangible and intangible.
The idea of a future Naples Biennale dedicated to cultural heritage arose in the wake of these conferences, and the UNESCO Executive Board, in response to the heartfelt request from participants at the second edition, mandated Italy and the Secretariat in October 2025 to explore the parameters of a permanent platform for dialogue dedicated to heritage.
The event at the Girolamini marked an important milestone in this exploratory process: 85 experts from 42 countries around the world took part in the working sessions, sharing their experiences, reflections and perspectives. The connection with Naples is fundamental: it is a place where tangible and intangible heritage and creativity are interwoven in everyday life, and is therefore the ideal setting to host a permanent international event dedicated to heritage. The experts took part in cultural tours designed to introduce them to the ‘Spirit of Naples’, meeting representatives from Naples’ cultural sector.
The three days of work made it possible to outline the main elements and characteristics of what could become the future Biennale, in particular by recommending a holistic approach to heritage and a clear focus on the communities that experience it, whilst involving relevant public and private stakeholders.
Building on the outcomes of this preparatory event, which will be presented at the UNESCO Executive Board session in April 2027, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of Culture will continue to work, in close collaboration with the UN organisation, to ensure that the Naples Biennale comes to fruition and serves as a valuable platform for reflection, exchange and cooperation in the safeguarding and promotion of heritage at a global level.
