Sal Da Vinci appointed ambassador for Neapolitan song UNESCO nomination

The Ministry of Tourism has announced Sal Da Vinci as ambassador for the candidacy of the classic Neapolitan song to become UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The project focuses on safeguarding this musical tradition and promoting it internationally, with benefits for cultural tourism across Italy.

Official presentation

The candidacy will be officially presented on 5 June 2026 at the Arena di Verona in an event broadcast live on Rai1. The evening will bring together prominent artists to highlight the historical and social value of the Neapolitan repertoire.

• Sal Da Vinci (performing "Tu ca nun chiagne")
• Massimo Ranieri
• Gigi D'Alessio
• Serena Rossi
• Vittorio Grigolo
• Plácido Domingo
• Patti Smith

Why this matters

The candidacy seeks to recognize and protect the Neapolitan song as intangible cultural heritage, preserving practices, knowledge and repertoires that have shaped Italian and international musical culture. From a tourism perspective, promoting this heritage can boost the appeal of the involved territories and attract cultural and music-related visitors.

Practical information

Venue: Arena di Verona, P.za Bra, 1, 37121 Verona (coordinates: 45.4389958, 10.9943574). Event date: 5 June 2026. Live broadcast on Rai1. For operators of UNESCO sites in Italy, events like this offer opportunities to develop music-focused cultural routes and integrated visitor experiences.

Impact on UNESCO sites

If recognized by UNESCO, the Neapolitan song would join the list of protected intangible heritage, strengthening ties between intangible practices and the physical locations connected to the musical tradition. This recognition could support conservation projects, educational programs and thematic tourism initiatives at Italian UNESCO sites.