L’Aquila Capital of Culture 2026: MAPS participatory process closes

L’Aquila Capital of Culture 2026: MAPS participatory process closes

The MAPS (Memories, Arts, Landscapes, Signs) participatory process concluded on 8 May 2026 in San Demetrio ne' Vestini. The initiative is part of the project “L’Aquila City Territory – Signs and Voices of Landscape” and supports preparations for L’Aquila as Italy’s Capital of Culture 2026.

• 61 municipalities of the earthquake area were involved; about 40 cultural and local operators and roughly 150 participants took part.
• Four territorial meetings were held with listening sessions and participatory tables in Cugnoli, Colledara, Montereale and San Demetrio ne' Vestini.
• Operational aim: provide municipalities with tools to join the call for proposals on distributed art and launch a call for artists and designers to interpret local places and identities.
• The findings will be presented and discussed on 18 May 2026 at Teatro San Filippo; afterwards the call for project proposals and the artists' call will be published.

Mayor Pierluigi Biondi emphasized that the process confirms local commitment to building a shared vision for cultural and territorial development, aiming to leave a lasting legacy beyond the 2026 appointment.