Teramo leads 20 municipalities in bid for 'Italian Book Capital' 2027

Teramo leads 20 municipalities in bid for 'Italian Book Capital' 2027

The dossier "Teramo and its valleys" was presented at the MIC, naming Teramo as lead partner of a coalition of 20 municipalities in the province. The bid seeks to make the territory a sustained hub for reading promotion, social inclusion and local cultural and economic development.

The plan involves more than 80 stakeholders — cultural operators, institutions, schools, associations and businesses — and is built around ten strategic objectives to improve cultural offerings, tackle educational poverty, foster innovation and strengthen public participation.

• Year-round events in 2027: "52 weeks to read together", micro-events across valleys and villages, festivals, workshops and living libraries.
• Opening: the "Marathon of Voices" in the first week of January 2027, a 24-hour continuous reading event.
• Closing: the "TVB and I give you a book" campaign at year-end, promoting book-giving as a collective act of care.
• Structural projects: creation of the "Binario di scambio" library at Teramo station and enhancement of Castello Della Monica as a center for fantasy literature and illustrated publishing.

The proposal aims to make reading an everyday tool for engagement, expanding activities into schools, libraries, museums, theatres, hospitals, prisons and unconventional spaces. Promoter municipalities include Teramo (lead), Alba Adriatica, Atri, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Silvi Marina and other local towns.

Beyond a calendar of activities for 2027, the candidacy seeks to leave lasting infrastructure and practices to sustain reading and cultural life in the province.