The Interinstitutional Strategic Committee for the preparation of Torino’s bid for European Capital of Culture 2033 was officially established today, February 14, 2025. The committee includes the City of Turin, the Piedmont Region, the Metropolitan City, the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Turin, the Polytechnic University of Turin, Fondazione CRT, and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo.

Chaired by Mayor Stefano Lo Russo, the committee will remain in place until December 31, 2027, with the goal of fostering broad participation in the bid process. Through initiatives engaging institutions, local, national, and international stakeholders, and citizens, the bid aims to:

• Enhance Turin’s historical, artistic, and cultural heritage
• Engage the local community, with a special focus on young people
• Strengthen the tourism sector and attract investments
• Promote international collaboration and intercultural dialogue
• Highlight European cultural diversity

Funding contributions to support the project will be determined annually by the participating entities.

A Collective Effort for Turin’s Future

“The signing of this protocol,” explains Mayor Stefano Lo Russo, “symbolizes, as we have seen with city branding efforts, the commitment of local institutions to work together, valuing Turin’s transformations and sharing a common vision for the future. But this will be a bid for the entire city, aiming to involve all Torinesi from the start, particularly young people. We are making an investment in Turin’s future, with culture as its foundation, and with the determination of a city that has long been a driving force for development and one of Italy’s major cultural hubs.”

Leadership and Planning

The Fondazione per la Cultura Torino will oversee all necessary actions, from fundraising to formal procedures, to prepare the bid dossier. The foundation has appointed Agostino Riitano, a cultural manager, as director of the bid. He will lead the drafting of the dossier, coordinate thematic working groups, and ensure alignment with the vision and objectives of the City of Turin.

Additionally, upon the proposal of the President of the Strategic Coordination Committee, an Advisory Board will be appointed to support, develop, and promote the cultural values of the bid at both the national and international levels.

Next Steps: A Collaborative Cultural Strategy

Following preliminary work in recent months and the formal establishment of the committee, 2025 will focus on:

• Building a network of cultural, scientific, and institutional partners
• Analyzing the strengths of Turin’s cultural ecosystem
• Launching a communication strategy

The various project phases will lead to the completion of the first bid dossier by the end of 2026, which will then be submitted in 2027.

A Historic Opportunity for Turin

“The bid for Turin as European Capital of Culture 2033 is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen teamwork among institutions, organizations, and entities that have long collaborated with a shared vision,” states Anna Maria Poggi, President of Fondazione CRT. “This well-established alliance brings together ideas, projects, and initiatives to enhance and promote an invaluable cultural heritage. Today’s signing of the agreement reaffirms our commitment to turning this heritage into a driver of social and economic development, benefiting the people of Turin—especially younger generations.”

The European Capital of Culture Initiative

Launched in 1985 at the initiative of Greek Minister of Culture Melina Merkouri, the European Capital of Culture project was conceived to bring European citizens closer together through culture. Over the years, it has grown in scope, generating significant cultural and socioeconomic impact for host cities.

Previous Italian cities awarded the title include:

• Florence (1986)
• Bologna (2000)
• Genoa (2004)
• Matera (2019)
• Gorizia (2025), which shares the title with Chemnitz (Germany) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia)

To be selected, a city must meet EU-defined criteria including cultural competitiveness, European identity, social inclusion, active participation, equal opportunities, intercultural dialogue, and urban regeneration.

Turin’s bid represents an ambitious effort to showcase its cultural excellence, strengthen international cooperation, and contribute to Europe’s cultural legacy.