Faenza and La Spezia join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The announcement was made by the international organization on World Cities Day, during which the list of 58 new entries honored for their efforts in promoting culture as a lever of sustainable urban development was published.
Faenza was chosen for the craft and folk arts sector, while La Spezia was recognized for its contribution in the field of design. Both Italian cities stand out for their ability to enhance their traditions by combining creativity and innovation, fostering the growth of dynamic and resilient communities. The recognition in Faenza is linked to its ancient ceramic tradition, which is considered not only a cultural treasure, but also an identity symbol and a means of contemporary experimentation. The city’s ability to respond to emergencies, such as the pandemic and the floods of 2023 and 2024, and the value of its educational, museum and craft system, along with its strong international openness, were emphasized in the nomination dossier.
La Spezia, on the other hand, was awarded for its prominent role in design, with a focus on educational innovation, collaborations with the manufacturing sector, and its international vocation. The city has been able to evolve from an industrial center to a creative laboratory, strategically focusing on nautical design and the blue economy, examples of a sustainable and future-oriented vision.
The entry of Faenza and La Spezia into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network sees the recognition of two realities capable of combining tradition, innovation and resilience. Creative Cities play a concrete role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive, participatory and culturally vibrant urban models.
“This nomination,” says Faenza Mayor Massimo Isola, “fills us with pride and responsibility because it recognizes in ceramics not only a tradition, but a living form of culture and innovation, representing, at the same time, an extraordinary recognition for Faenza and for all of Romagna. The result rewards the entire city and testifies to the resilience and strength of an entire community that has been able not only to preserve its heritage, but also to renew it, overcoming moments of great difficulty. Think of the period of the health emergency dictated by Covid, which imposed calendar changes and unprecedented challenges for international events such as Argillà Italia. However, this difficulty did not stop us: the City was spurred to create an alternative and new path, the ”Made in Italy“ format, a market exhibition entirely dedicated to Italian ceramics. This event, born as a response to the emergency, is now a consolidated and successful event that enhances national excellence. Faenza’s nomination as a Unesco Creative City also recognizes our ability to respond to natural disasters such as the floods that, in May 2023 and September 2024, brought thousands of Faentinians, including artisans and ceramists, to their knees. Large and small workshops saw workshops and production wiped out, but their ability to get back up made it possible for Faenza’s creative identity not to stop and to restart with greater strength and courage. Ceramics is our identity language, but also the key with which we want to interpret the future, investing in creativity as a resource for the economic and social growth of the city. I would like to thank all those who have made this achievement possible: the working team, the ceramic craftsmanship network, museums, schools, cultural associations and the many citizens who, with their commitment, have contributed to building the candidacy: this recognition is not a point of arrival, but represents a commitment to continue on the path of cultural innovation and international cooperation.”
“La Spezia is officially a UNESCO Creative City for Design. An award that recognizes the creative and productive excellence of our city in the field of nautical design, while enhancing the history, vision and talent of the community: from the art of the shipwrights to the activities of the Military Arsenal, from the furniture industry to interior design and the most advanced technical design. This prestigious UNESCO title represents a historic achievement that strengthens Italy’s presence on the international design scene and consecrates La Spezia as the World Boating Capital, a laboratory of creativity, innovation and sustainability,” commented La Spezia Mayor Pierluigi Peracchini.
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| Faenza and La Spezia enter UNESCO Creative Cities. |
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