by Redazione 24/10/2026
Categories: News / Disclaimer
Monreale has been named the 2027 Italian Capital of Books. The “Monreale Reads the World” project will receive 500,000 euros in funding from the Ministry of Culture and aims to make reading a tool for inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and civic engagement.
Monreale will be the Italian Book Capital for 2027. The announcement came from Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, who declared the Sicilian city the winner of the title, awarded to a project capable of combining historical heritage, innovation, and the promotion of reading. At the heart of the bid is “Monreale Legge il Mondo”(Monreale Reads the World), a program that will receive a grant of 500,000 euros from the Ministry of Culture and aims to make books and libraries tools for connection, inclusion, and growth for the entire community.
The announcement ceremony was attended by Massimo Osanna, head of the Department of Cultural Activities, and Adriano Monti Buzzetti, president of the jury for the 2027 Italian Book Capital. The 2027 edition received 31 applications, involving a total of 92 municipalities, including proposals submitted as joint bids. Along with Monreale, the finalists were Chiaromonte, Iglesias, Nuoro, Pomigliano d’Arco, the “Teramo and its Valleys” consortium, and Treviso. The decision was made unanimously by the jury chaired by Adriano Monti Buzzetti and composed of Flavia Maraston, Fulvia Toscano, Gloria Piaggio, and Miguel Gotor, with the following rationale:
“The application stands out for its high-quality planning, strategic coherence, and ability to combine local identity with national and international openness. Particularly commendable are the focus on inclusion and the younger generations, the involvement of a broad and qualified local network, the strength of the governance structure, and the planned structural interventions designed to produce lasting effects. The theme of multilingualism and intercultural dialogue—closely linked to the city’s history—is original and compelling, and the use of cultural heritage as a narrative and participatory element is equally effective. Noteworthy are the training program for staff, the creative residencies, and the strategy aimed at transforming visitors into “traveling readers,” thereby enhancing the city’s appeal and generating positive cultural and economic impacts on the local area. The economic and financial plan is detailed and credible, the timeline is realistic, and the provision for a sustainability plan extending beyond the year the title is awarded is noteworthy. Although there is no financial co-funding, the in-kind support guaranteed by the cohesive local network is significant. Overall, the application demonstrates a high degree of maturity, coherence, and sustainability, standing out for its quality, strategic vision, social inclusion, and long-term impact, in full alignment with the objectives of the call for proposals. The evaluation was excellent. Although there were other high-quality projects worthy of consideration, the jury unanimously recommends Monreale as the Italian Book Capital for the year 2027.”
What proved most convincing was the project’s ability to draw on the city’s historical and cultural identity to build a program promoting reading aimed at diverse audiences, with a particular focus on accessibility and participation.
The winning project draws on Monreale’s heritage and its famous Cathedral, a testament to the convergence of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine cultures. This legacy serves as the starting point for a program that aims to make reading an opportunity for dialogue, social cohesion, and openness to the world. The initiative aims to strengthen the role of libraries, reach even the outlying villages in the area, and expand access to culture for people with disabilities, the elderly, and the most vulnerable segments of the population. The goal is to overcome the barriers that can limit cultural participation by bringing books and activities even beyond the spaces traditionally dedicated to reading.
Among the planned initiatives are fifty georeferenced ceramic markers equipped with augmented reality content, designed to create new pathways for discovering the city’s heritage and territory. The program also includes a multilingual library portal and the “Leggo il Duomo” app, which will connect reading with knowledge of the city’s iconic monument. Special attention will be given to the younger generations through digital storytelling workshops for youth. Creative residencies are also planned at the Abbey of San Martino delle Scale to foster opportunities for research, cultural production, and dialogue.
Supporting this initiative will be the “Pact for Reading,” designed to strengthen collaborations among the stakeholders and ensure the continuity of these activities even beyond 2027. Monreale’s designation thus marks the launch of a program that aims to transform the title of Italian Capital of the Book into a lasting opportunity for the community, linking historical heritage, innovation, and access to culture.
“A book is not enough on its own, but there are—and they are right here before us— community entities that understand this lesson so well they have organized a cultural program that begins with the book and returns to the book, bringing together citizens from all surrounding communities, knowing that a text is made up of as many letters and words as there are souls in the community participating in the Capital,” stated Minister Giuli.
“The book is the unifying element that brings together all the facets of our Department, from film and audiovisual media to live performance, from contemporary art to libraries,” stated Massimo Osanna, Head of the Department of Cultural Activities. “It gives us the key to entering the world of culture with awareness. For our part, we will provide strong support to ensure that the finest initiatives among those presented can also be realized in the other finalist cities, building a network of places where reading takes center stage.”
“In our work, we were guided by the ability to engage the broadest segments of the population, the longevity of the projects beyond the year the title is awarded, and dialogue with local publishing partners,” emphasized Jury President Adriano Monti Buzzetti. “The guiding principle has been the award’s national scope—the ability to look beyond our own borders and consider Italy as a whole. The verdict honors a single proposal, but this in no way diminishes the strength of the other finalist proposals.”
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| Monreale is the 2027 Italian Capital of Books: 500,000 euros for the “Monreale Reads the World” project |
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