by InTrieste
The official poster for the 58th edition of the Barcolana sailing regatta was unveiled on Tuesday, marking the latest collaboration between illycaffè and the annual event that transforms Trieste into an international sailing destination each October.
Created by artist Serse Roma, the 2026 poster places the sea at the center of its composition, portraying the waters of the Gulf of Trieste through finely rendered graphite lines. Rather than depicting the race itself, the work explores the shifting relationship between light, movement and water, presenting the sea as both a physical landscape and a shared cultural space.
Born in San Polo di Piave in 1952 and based in Trieste for much of his career, Roma is known for drawings that examine light, nature and reflective surfaces with a minimalist visual language. His collaboration with illycaffè dates back to 2005, when he created artwork inspired by the sea of Trieste for the company’s iced coffee glass.
The annual Barcolana poster has become a tradition in its own right, with previous editions created by internationally renowned artists including Michelangelo Pistoletto, Gillo Dorfles, Maurizio Galimberti, Marina Abramović, Olimpia Zagnoli, Lorenzo Mattotti, Ron Arad, Matteo Thun, Judy Chicago, Stefan Sagmeister and Robert Wilson.
Cristina Scocchia, chief executive of illycaffè, said the company selected Roma because of his longstanding connection with the Adriatic and his ability to portray the sea as more than the setting of a sailing competition. She described the artwork as a reminder that the sea connects people, cultures and histories while continuing the event’s longstanding dialogue between art and sailing.
Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, said the poster returns the focus to the sea, describing it as the defining element of Trieste’s identity and a symbol of constant movement and renewal. He said Roma’s graphite technique captures the poetic qualities of the water while inviting viewers to reflect on their relationship with the sea.
The 58th edition of the Barcolana will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Gulf of Trieste. The regatta will be preceded by a week of cultural, sporting and public events across the city, continuing a tradition that each year draws thousands of sailors and visitors to the regional capital.
