On the initiative of Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Narendra Modi, 2027 will be the Year of Italian Culture and Tourism in India: an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen ties and open up new prospects for collaboration between two nations that are the heirs to great civilisations. The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries, helping to strengthen the cultural, human and economic dimensions of bilateral relations.
The Embassy of Italy in New Delhi, together with the entire diplomatic and consular network in India, will promote a programme of activities aimed at introducing the Indian public to the richness of Italy’s heritage and the vibrancy of contemporary Italy. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, and in collaboration with Indian institutions and partners, the programme will bring a diverse range of events, exchanges and joint projects to the country’s major cities and cultural centres.
From art to architecture, from design to fashion, from music to cinema, from gastronomy to scientific research, right through to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, the aim will be to showcase an Italy capable of preserving a millennia-old tradition whilst expressing creativity, innovation and expertise. From the perspective of “growth diplomacy”, the Year will help to turn cultural cooperation into opportunities for exchange, training and development, thereby promoting the internationalisation of Italian businesses and the cultural and creative industries.
The planned events include Italy’s participation in the Jaipur Literature Festival, featuring a dialogue between historians Alessandro Barbero and William Dalrymple; the exhibition “Caravaggio and the Caravaggisti” in Delhi and Bangalore; and Italy’s presence as guest of honour at the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival. In Mumbai, the exhibition I fili narranti di Maria Lai (The Narrative Threads of Maria Lai) will explore the connection between 20th-century artistic research and the Sardinian textile tradition.
Particular attention will be paid to Italy’s regions and territories and their cultural, scenic and productive diversity. The “Italian Night”, scheduled to take place in Delhi in June, will offer a journey through music, crafts and food and wine. Initiatives dedicated to rural tourism and Italian villages, along with the project “10 Storytellers Travelling Through Italy” – aimed at young Indian digital storytellers – will help raise awareness of lesser-known destinations and itineraries, whilst promoting local identities and the excellence of ‘Made in Italy’ products.
The Year of Italian Culture and Tourism in India will therefore be an investment in the future of bilateral relations. A new chapter in the friendship between Italy and India, to be built through the participation of the institutions, the cultural and business communities, and the citizens of both countries.
