A press conference was held on January 13 in the foyer of the Flavio Vespasiano Theater in Rieti to present the activities and initiatives in Rieti included in the “L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026” project.
The meeting was attended by the mayors of Rieti and L’Aquila, Daniele Sinibaldi and Pierluigi Biondi; the councilor for culture of the City of Rieti, Letizia Rosati, the President of the Province of Rieti, Roberta Cuneo, the Councilor for Public Works and Reconstruction Policies, Manuela Rinaldi, and, via video link, the Councilor for Culture of the Lazio Region, Simona Baldassarre.

As the Italian Capital of Culture, Rieti is set to experience a year packed with initiatives, activities, and events, as well as the reopening and return to the city of spaces dedicated to culture, education, and identity. Over 30 million euros have been invested in numerous infrastructure projects, some of which will be completed in 2026. Among these are the launch of the project to build the National Museum of the Sabines, the reopening of the former Civil Hospital, the Reading Club, and the Hall of Mirrors at the Flavio Vespasiano Theater, as well as the churches of San Francesco and Sant’Antonio Abate and the oratory of San Pietro Martire. In 2026, restoration work will be carried out on the Roman Bridge; the “Museo Diffuso” project will get underway; the “Rea Silvia” Audiovisual Center will begin operations; and work will continue on the construction of the new “Parco della Musica” Auditorium.
The calendar of events is also packed, offering more than 100 events throughout 2026, including 2 exhibitions, 17 musical performances and concerts, 20 events dedicated to commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, 21 theatrical performances, 50 meetings, conferences, and symposia, and 10 nationally prominent guests.

JANUARY 21: THE OFFICIAL OPENING
Rieti’s year as the Italian Capital of Culture will officially kick off with a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, at 11:30 a.m., at the Flavio Vespasiano Theater, recently designated a national monument.
The day’s highlights will feature nationally prominent guests and students from the Liceo Musicale—a symbol of excellence and the region’s future—in collaboration with students from the IPSSEOA “Ranieri Antonelli Costaggini.” In addition to institutional addresses, the ceremony will feature cultural presentations, music, and readings, retracing the history, identity, and creativity of the Central Apennines—from Virgil to St. Francis to Lucio Battisti—while highlighting young people, symbolic sites, and collaboration among neighboring cities.

“The great adventure of Rieti and its surrounding area as part of the L’Aquila 2026 project is not just a calendar of cultural events and celebrations, but a strategic opportunity for regional revitalization and national visibility, driven by the history and traditions of the Central Apennines,” said the Mayor of Rieti, Daniele Sinibaldi.

“The initiative that Rieti and L’Aquila are pursuing together for the Year of the Italian Capital of Culture represents a great opportunity for all areas of the Central Apennines,” added the mayor of L’Aquila, Pierluigi Biondi —A shared journey born of the desire to provide concrete solutions to communities marked by vulnerability, yet also by a strong capacity for transformation. Rieti’s contribution is central: the work carried out in synergy with L’Aquila’s efforts enhances these territories through culture, revitalizing them and showcasing their potential to Italy. “We are ready to tackle this very important year together, guided by a clear message: investing in culture means helping to combat depopulation in inland areas and building the future of our regions, as we move forward together.”

“Italian Capital of Culture 2026 is a project in which the city of L’Aquila is leading the way with an original and unprecedented vision of a broader region that extends beyond current administrative boundaries,” added Letizia Rosati, Councilor for Culture for the City of Rieti “Dedicated to the medium-sized cities of the central Apennines—of which Rieti is a prime example—it has fostered a fruitful collaboration between two distinct entities. More than two years of passionate work have gone into showcasing that wonderful part of Italy to which we all belong—often referred to as ‘minor Italy’ but which, deep down, isn’t really so ‘minor’ after all.”

“From the very beginning, together with the Municipality of Rieti, we have wholeheartedly supported this initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding, fully aware of the strategic value that this recognition holds for the entire Apennine region,” stated the President of the Province, Roberta Cuneo – “Today, this work translates into an extraordinary opportunity to further enhance the cultural, artistic, and scenic heritage of our province, but above all to establish a governance model based on institutional cooperation, constant dialogue among local authorities, and the ability to work as a cohesive system. With this in mind, we have resolutely promoted the involvement of all municipalities and local entities to ensure that the project truly reflects the identities and unique characteristics of our territories.”

According to Manuela Rinaldi, Regional Councilor for Public Works and Reconstruction Policies, “The Italian Capital of Culture 2026 project is a unique opportunity to rediscover the inland regions, particularly those affected by the earthquake. We work every day to rebuild and revitalize these areas, with the specific goal of highlighting and promoting these lands, which are extraordinarily rich in culture and identity.”

Finally, Simona Baldassarre, the Lazio Region’s Councilor for Culture, speaking via video link during the press conference, explained that the Lazio Region “is at the forefront of supporting Rieti’s great adventure as part of the ‘L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026’ project. “We are convinced that the central Apennines region—of which Rieti is a key hub—has everything it takes to showcase the extraordinary cultural heritage it preserves.”

A summary of Rieti’s activities is available on the official website of the City of Rieti at the following link: https://comune.rieti.it/novita/https-comune-rieti-it-novita-laquila-capitale-italiana-della-cultura-2026_una-grande-avventura-per-rieti/