by MK
President Sergio Mattarella attended the closing ceremony of the Pordenonelegge literary festival on Sunday, 20 September, joining regional and national officials for the finale of one of Italy’s largest cultural event and underscoring the city’s path toward becoming Italian Capital of Culture 2027.
Speaking at the Teatro Verdi, Massimiliano Fedriga, governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia, described reading and culture as essential expressions of freedom, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech and the right to dissent in democratic societies. He said Mattarella’s presence reflected the Republic’s commitment to defending those principles at a time when freedom of expression is increasingly challenged in parts of the world.
The ceremony brought together Mayor Alessandro Basso, Prefect Michele Lastella, Pordenonelegge Foundation president Michelangelo Agrusti, and several members of the Italian government, including Minister Luca Ciriani, Deputy Minister Vannia Gava, and Undersecretary Sandra Savino.
Fedriga also linked the president’s visit to a broader symbolic year for the region. It follows Mattarella’s appearance in Gemona del Friuli on May 6 for the 50th anniversary commemorations of the 1976 Friuli earthquake and comes days after the inauguration of the restored Castello di Colloredo di Monte Albano, widely regarded as the final major reconstruction project stemming from the disaster.
This year’s edition of Pordenonelegge concluded with record participation, featuring 447 events across 52 venues and nearly 700 Italian and international authors, scholars, and guests.
The celebrations ended with the Concert for Italy, headlined by the Italian vocal trio Il Volo, offering a preview of the cultural ambitions that await Pordenone in 2027.
