Matera and Tetouan to pick up Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue baton in 2026
- Matera (Italy) and Tetouan (Morocco) have been named the 2026 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue, a yearlong distinction that celebrates the cities’ rich cultural heritage and shared Mediterranean vision, by the Union for the Mediterranean and the Anna Lindh Foundation.
- A first edition of the initiative will kick off in the northern capital of Tirana (Albania) and the southern capital of Alexandria (Egypt) next year with collaborative exchanges, including conferences, sporting events, and cultural performances, that engage both local and Euro-Mediterranean artists and civil society. The online call for applications for the 2027 edition will open in January.
- The new Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue were formally announced today, on the Day of the Mediterranean, an annual opportunity to promote intercultural dialogue, celebrate cooperation, embrace diversity and strengthen ties between the sea’s two shores. This year’s Day of the Mediterranean campaign turns the spotlight onto everyday Mediterranean heroes who are actively working to address the region’s many pressing challenges.
28 November 2024, Barcelona. Matera, the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and 2019 European Capital of Culture, and Tetouan, famous for its distinct blend of Andalusian and North African influences, will be the 2026 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue. This distinction, bestowed upon them by the Union for the Mediterranean and the Anna Lindh Foundation, will see the cities host a yearlong series of cultural activities that engage local communities and foster partnerships across the wider Mediterranean region. With both cities sharing deep historical legacies and traditions, this recognition is a testament to their commitment to promoting dialogue and mutual understanding across the region.
UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel, stated: “The power of culture should not be underestimated. In an age of divisiveness and tragic conflicts with no immediate end in sight, we must not dismiss culture’s potential to build bridges by promoting much-needed dialogue. Congratulations are in order for Matera and Tetouan as we embrace the promise of culture as a means of paving the way forward to a future that benefits us all.”
“This designation represents a tremendous opportunity for us to highlight our heritage, our artists, and our cultural initiatives while strengthening ties with other cities and countries through enriching exchanges and collaborations,” said Mustapha El Bakkouri, President of the Commune of Tetouan. “We are fully aware of the challenges and responsibilities that come with this title, which marks an important turning point for our city. We are convinced that it will be a valuable lever to promote cultural diversity and strengthen artistic exchanges both nationally and internationally.”
“We are deeply honoured that Matera has been designated Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2026. The Mediterranean is not only a sea, but a mosaic of civilisations, and Matera, with its stratified identity, is the ideal place where these can meet, understand and enrich each other,” said Prefectural Commissioner of Matera Raffaele Ruberto. “The cultural project that led to this nomination, wanted by the Municipality of Matera and curated by the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation, represents an extraordinary opportunity to promote intercultural dialogue, enhance our heritage and involve the entire community. A path that, starting from the experience of European Capital of Culture 2019, aims at consolidating Matera’s role as a bridge between the different shores of the Mediterranean, promoting inclusion, sustainability and values of unity, in close connection with the Moroccan city Tetouan.”
Matera and Tetouan will follow in the footsteps of Tirana (Albania) and Alexandria (Egypt), who in 2025 will become the first-ever Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue. Preparations in these cities are well underway, with local authorities and civil society actors already collaborating closely with the UfM and the Anna Lindh Foundation to develop an engaging programme of cultural events and activities next year. These will follow a series of warm-up events in both capitals, including the UfM Conference on Creative Economy in Tirana earlier this month or the debate on the role of libraries in fostering intercultural dialogue and social cohesion which will take place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in the coming weeks.
Online applications for the 2027 edition of the initiative will be open to cities from any of the UfM’s 43 Member States from January to June of next year, regardless of their size or distance from the sea. As in all past editions, the capital from the northern Mediterranean and the capital from the southern Mediterranean will be invited to collaborate, spotlighting their shared Euro-Mediterranean identities and local uniqueness.
Endorsed by the 43 UfM Member States at their 9th Regional Forum in October, the 2026 capitals were formally announced on November 28, the Day of the Mediterranean. The annual celebration highlights positive cooperation stories in the region, serving as a reminder of our shared Mediterranean identity. This year’s campaign, The Next Wave, features everyday Mediterranean heroes tackling issues ranging from unemployment to inequality or environmental degradation and climate change. It also invites citizens to identify the challenges closest to their hearts and to recognise the changemakers who are already working to address them.
