On 20th December 2019 in Matera (IT), on the occasion of the Closing Ceremony of Matera 2019, European Capital of Culture, Mr. David Sassoli, the greatly missed President of the European Parliament, called on Europe to become an increasing praesidium of peace, freedom and democracy leveraging cultural participation.

On 20 December 2019 at the closing ceremony of Matera European Capital of Culture 2019, the Cava del Sole was thronged with citizens waving European flags and the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, who passed away prematurely on 11 January, delivered an impassioned and warmly applauded speech on the value of culture for the building of Europe.

The final event of the ECoC SME Interreg Europe project happening in Matera and online on the 9th and 10th of June to know more about the experience of past and future ECoCs.

"The top podium earned by Matera and Basilicata is the right recognition of the daily commitment of Lucanian tour operators who, despite the pandemic, have never given up welcoming guests in the best possible way. On behalf of the regional government and all the people of Basilicata, I would like to thank them one by one for having once again brought the hospitality system of Matera and Basilicata to the top. We will continue to stand by their side, especially in the most difficult times, such as those that the whole world is going through because of the pandemic".

For the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, the European Capitals of Culture met live outside Europe to reflect together on the path of rebirth of cities and to share globally their responses to highly topical challenges such as the New European Bauhaus or the role that culture can play in connecting the rural and the urban.