This symbolic and operational step marks the start of the joint journey between the two cities, which are called upon to interpret and give shape, in 2026, to a shared vision of culture as a tool for dialogue, cooperation and development in the Mediterranean. Mayor Antonio Nicoletti strongly believes in this journey, also in terms of the prospects opened up with the Government and in particular the Ministry of Culture.
The visit by delegations from the Municipality of Matera and the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation took place over two days, marked by institutional meetings and moments of cultural exploration. On Friday 12 December, the delegation was received by the Governor of the Province of Tétouan, with a presentation of the cultural programme “Tétouan, Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026” and a discussion on the main strategic axes of the project. The day ended with a visit to the city's most iconic sites, from the Medina to the Kasbah, from the archaeological site of Tamouda to the museums, testifying to the historical and cultural depth of Tétouan.
On Saturday 13 December, the official meeting was held at the headquarters of the Municipality of Tétouan, with the presentation of the city's emblems and a round table dedicated to the synergies and common prospects between Tétouan and Matera as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue. It was an opportunity for discussion that focused on the role of cities as cultural and civil hubs capable of building stable relationships between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
‘This first meeting marks the concrete start of a journey that represents an extraordinary opportunity for cultural and civil growth for Matera,’ said Giuseppe Casino, the city councillor for internationalisation. ‘The dialogue with Tetouan allows us to work on a Mediterranean dimension of culture that goes beyond events, focusing on lasting relationships, artistic co-productions and community exchanges. 2026 is intended to be the start of a process that we want to make structural.’
‘The encounter with Tétouan, a city that shares with Matera a long historical and cultural stratification and a natural vocation for encounter, reinforces an interpretation of the Mediterranean that goes beyond its geographical dimension, establishing itself as a shared human and cultural space,’ points out Rita Orlando, Cultural Manager of the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation. The dialogue that has begun in recent days, involving Italian cultural institutions in Morocco and the local cultural and creative scene, represents a significant first step in building 2026 together. Thanks to the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Union for the Mediterranean, we hope to be able to work on a shared programme and promote exchanges between artists, students and cultural and tourism operators."
This first meeting represents a key step in the journey that will lead to 2026. Matera and Tétouan, a Mediterranean city in the interior and a city that has historically served as a bridge between Africa, the Mediterranean and Andalusia, have built not only an institutional relationship but also a broader dialogue involving the Italian Cultural Institute in Rabat and representatives of Tétouan's cultural and creative scene: artists, associations and local cultural organisations that express the energy and vitality of the city as a Mediterranean laboratory of expression and innovation.
'This visit was an opportunity for fruitful discussion with Moroccan institutions, aimed at strengthening dialogue between the shores of the Mediterranean, building lasting relationships and sharing a common cultural vision based on cooperation, peace and respect for identities,' added City Council President Donato Braia. 'Matera looks to 2026 with responsibility, aware that culture is a fundamental tool for dialogue and shared development.'
Matera and Tétouan are thus officially embarking on the path that will see them take centre stage in 2026, confirming the role of cities as spaces for cultural diplomacy and as places where the Mediterranean can once again become a space for relations.
