Italian Book Capital 2027: Palazzo San Gervasio Leads a United

Italian Book Capital 2027: Palazzo San Gervasio Leads a United Basilicata Bid

Palazzo San Gervasio has been named lead municipality for Basilicata's bid to become Italian Book Capital 2027. The initiative, called “Le trame del Bradano”, aims to pool local resources to promote reading, cultural production and the revitalization of small towns.

The collective project involves 16 municipalities, combining the Union of the Alto Bradano municipalities with communities from the Melfi area. Among the participating towns are:

• Acerenza
• Banzi
• Cancellara
• Forenza
• Genzano di Lucania
• Maschito
• Montemilone
• Oppido Lucano
• San Chirico Nuovo
• Tolve
• Melfi
• Venosa
• Lavello
• Palazzo San Gervasio (lead)

The promoters note that the regional capitals Potenza and Matera participate as key supporters, shaping a network intended to bridge urban centers and internal areas.

The stated goal is to make books a driver for cultural and social development across the territory, through widespread reading initiatives, enhanced cultural services and projects that valorize both tangible and intangible heritage. The joint candidacy will be submitted to the Ministry as the region's proposal for 2027.