Sal Da Vinci named ambassador for the UNESCO nomination of Neapolitan song

Italy's Minister of Tourism, Gianmarco Mazzi, announced in Vienna during the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final that Sal Da Vinci has been appointed ambassador for the nomination of the classical Neapolitan song as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

The initiative aims to protect and internationally promote the musical tradition of Naples within a broader national strategy to enhance Italian music as a cultural, tourist and economic asset.

Official presentation and participating artists

The nomination will be formally presented on June 5 at the Arena di Verona in an event broadcast live on Rai1. Artists announced for the evening include:

• Massimo Ranieri
• Gigi D'Alessio
• Serena Rossi
• Vittorio Grigolo
• Plácido Domingo
• Patti Smith

Sal Da Vinci is scheduled to perform the classic "Tu ca nun chiagne", emblematic of Neapolitan tradition.

Tourism impact and cultural promotion

During the press meeting, Minister Mazzi emphasized the role of major music events — such as the Sanremo Festival — in internationalizing artists and attracting visitors: musical tourism produces measurable flows and increases regional visibility. The UNESCO nomination aims not only at safeguarding intangible heritage but also at leveraging music as a strategic driver for local and national economies.

With Sal Da Vinci as ambassador and institutional backing, the candidacy of the Neapolitan song seeks to combine cultural protection, identity affirmation and international promotion, enhancing one of Italy's most distinctive intangible assets.