Gibellina, a town marked by a dramatic past, is preparing to rise again thanks to art. It was recently proclaimed the first Capital of Contemporary Art in Italy for 2026, an award that will earn it 1 million euros to finance cultural initiatives. These funds will be allocated to activities such as exhibitions and festivals, in addition to the redevelopment of spaces dedicated to contemporary art. This award comes almost sixty years after the devastating earthquake of 1968 that struck the Belice Valley, an event that profoundly affected the history of the region.
The credit for this rebirth goes to Ludovico Corrao, a politician and jurist who, after the earthquake, committed himself to reviving his city through culture. His vision attracted world-famous artists such as Pietro Consagra and Alberto Burri. Burri’s “Cretto” monument, built on the old Gibellina, is one of the most significant testimonies of this cultural commitment. Other artists such as Mario Schifano and Arnaldo Pomodoro contributed to transforming Gibellina into an important center of artistic experimentation.
The cultural tradition lives on: last summer, the Cretto hosted events to celebrate Danilo Dolci on the centenary of his birth. The recognition of the Capital of Contemporary Art is a continuation of this lively spirit. Among the twenty-three participating cities, Gibellina beat other finalists such as Pescara and Carrara. The Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, underlined the importance of the project “Portami il Futuro”, which aims at urban regeneration through contemporary art and creativity.
Current mayor Salvatore Sutera enthusiastically welcomed the news of the victory, paying tribute to his predecessor Corrao and emphasizing the importance of creating hope and confidence in the future through art. Francesca Corrao, daughter of the visionary former mayor, shared her joy for this significant achievement for the city and highlighted the power of art in weaving emotional bonds between people.
This recognition offers Gibellina the opportunity to be reborn from a difficult past, transforming scars into opportunities to build a bright future through culture and art.
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