Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani congratulated Civita di Bagnoregio and Bolsena on their designation as Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2028.
“The designation is an important recognition of the ability of Italy’s local communities to showcase their cultural heritage through dialogue with contemporary creativity,” Tajani said.
The cultural and creative industry is a strategic resource for Italy: it is worth around €310 billion, contributes more than 15% of the country’s wealth and employs 1.5 million people. In 2025 the sector generated €116 billion in added value, with an increase of 3.3 per cent.
Against this backdrop, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has long promoted Lazio’s cultural heritage internationally through its diplomatic and consular network and Italian Cultural Institutes. This work has included showcasing Civita di Bagnoregio through contemporary creative projects and exhibitions in New York, promoting the Tuscia region through cinema in Berlin, and enhancing Etruscan civilisation using new digital technologies in San Francisco. These initiatives show how dialogue between historical heritage, innovation and creativity can strengthen the international profile of Italy’s local communities.
