With its winning program entitled La Cultura non Isola (Culture Doesn’t Isolate), Procida will host more than 150 cultural events involving 350 artists from 45 countries, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
“Culture is synonymous with peace,” Mattarella said during the inauguration.
“Its authenticity lies precisely in the ability to promote curiosity which becomes understanding, friendship, coexistence and cooperation.”
Mattarella also condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine, denouncing the “innocent blood, broken lives, ruthless crimes” and the “images that we thought we had consigned forever to the archive of unrepeatable horrors on our continent”.
Procida is located between Capo Miseno and the island of Ischia, off the coast of Naples.
The southern island’s jagged coastline is 16 kilometres long and is dotted with vibrant coloured houses.
It takes over the title of Italy’s Capital of Culture from Parma after fighting off competition from nine other finalists: Ancona, Bari, Cerveteri, L’Aquila, Pieve di Soligo, Taranto, Trapani, Verbania and Volterra.
Procida Mayor Dino Ambrosino said the title was “an extraordinary opportunity”.
“We are honoured; thank you for this historic opportunity that we will certainly seize by working hard to make Italy proud of this great choice,” he added.
The title for 2023 has already been awarded to Bergamo and Brescia.
Bypassing the usual application process earlier last year, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate approved the joint candidature in a symbol of hope and rebirth for the two northern cities, which were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
