In the picturesque setting of the village of Lucignano, the XV edition of the National Festival of 'Italy's Most Beautiful Villages' was held. Among exhibition stands, conferences, dances, and cooking shows, an opportunity was created to foster synergistic bonds and exchanges of ideas between representatives of those Italian realities that are, for the most part, marginalized from visitor and tourist flows. Indeed, hundreds of small "villages of Italy" are at risk of depopulation and consequent decay due to marginalization with respect to economic interests gravitating around tourism and commercial movement - as stated on the website of the Association 'Italy's Most Beautiful Villages'.
Born in 2001 at the initiative of the Tourism Consultative Body of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), the Association 'Italy's Most Beautiful Villages' responds to the need to promote the vast heritage of history, art, culture, environment, and traditions present in small Italian centers. The objective is not merely to carry out an integrated tourism promotion operation, but to guarantee -- through protection, recovery, and promotion -- the preservation of a heritage of monuments and memories that would otherwise be irretrievably lost.
Among the initiatives launched by the Association is the National Festival of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, an annual event that celebrates the rich cultural and historical heritage of the hidden gems of the Italian peninsula. During the Festival, the streets come alive with cultural, gastronomic, and artistic events, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local traditions and art. The XV edition took place from September 8-10, 2023, in Lucignano.
"Three days celebrating Italy's most beautiful villages. Lucignano is honored to have hosted this Festival; it was deeply moving for us. Long work, but with exceptional results: extensive participation, especially from municipalities of Italy's most beautiful villages. It was an honor to have so many mayors here. We discussed important themes: combating depopulation, promoting sustainability, especially economic and social, and repopulating our villages." These are the words of Lucignano's mayor Roberta Casini at the conclusion of the Festival, which hosted 150 delegates from municipalities present, 400 administrators and representatives from across Italy.
The editorial team of LaCostaGroup.it also participated in the event, walking through the village and attending various presentations. Among the speakers, many were part of the Association's technical-scientific committee, such as Francesco Maria Spanò, representative of LUISS University, who presented the initiative to repopulate villages through the promotion of programs bringing students, researchers, and workers to work and study in small centers thanks to Smart Working. This initiative stems from phenomena observed and studied during and immediately after the Covid pandemic.
Indeed, many Italians, upon hearing the lockdown announcement, fled major cities to return to small centers of origin. Others did so later, after reopening, when they found themselves facilitated by smart work and began to feel confined within cities.
Following what was stated by Spanò, Annika Patregnani, president of the Biennial Habitat, presented a concrete project she has been carrying forward for several years. It is the I.E.P - International Educational Partners project. Renowned for its unwavering dedication to academic excellence, IEP Italy offers a wide range of intellectually stimulating Foundation programs and Master programs covering an impressive variety of disciplines.
The agreement with the Association Italy's Most Beautiful Villages aims to bring these courses into small centers with specific characteristics, such as good connectivity, spaces to host courses, and accommodations for students from around the world wishing to participate.
