Pistoia has been named Italy’s 2026 Book Capital. The announcement marks a major cultural milestone for the Tuscan city, which prevailed over fellow finalists Carmagnola, Perugia, Nardò, and Tito.
The winning proposal, titled Pistoia: The Adventure of Reading – The Courage to Build the Future, was praised by the jury for “the richness and quality of its projects,” featuring a year-long program of about 1,500 events. As part of the designation, Pistoia will receive roughly €500,000 in funding to support reading promotion, the local book industry, and cultural infrastructure across the city.
With this new title, Pistoia aims to strengthen its historic identity as a hub of art, culture, and innovation, placing reading and literature at the heart of civic development. The goal is not only to celebrate books and writers, but to frame reading as a shared public resource – a force for inclusion, creativity, and community building.
Throughout 2026, Pistoia will host a diverse cultural calendar: readings, exhibitions, public talks, and educational workshops designed to make literature accessible to all. Libraries, schools, publishers, and cultural associations will collaborate to create a network of events that involve citizens of every age and background, encouraging participation well beyond traditional audiences.
The jury’s choice also recognizes Pistoia’s long-term commitment to promoting reading as a way of life. Over the years, the city has developed strong local networks, from libraries to literary festivals, that have made books a cornerstone of civic engagement. Its vision for 2026 builds on this foundation – showing how reading can be both an intimate act and a collective movement that strengthens social ties and fosters critical thinking.
The coming year will test how effectively Pistoia can transform this title into lasting impact. The planned initiatives invite both residents and visitors to rediscover the pleasure of reading and storytelling as tools for empowerment and cultural renewal.
At a time when digital distractions dominate daily life, Pistoia’s message is clear: reading remains a radical, creative, and deeply human act. The 2026 Book Capital title is therefore much more than a symbolic honor – it’s an invitation to rethink the role of literature in society and to build the future through the power of imagination, one page at a time.
