On May 15–16, 2025, Matera welcomed the first official visit of the Advisory Committee of the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026. The city had the opportunity to present its commitment and the vision behind the Terre Immerse project through institutional meetings, cultural visits, and working sessions. The visiting Committee members were Ayman Elsherbiny, analyst in the Cabinet of the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, and Alessandro Lamonica, Director of the Public Policies Unit at the Anna Lindh Foundation.

The visit began with a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation. The Advisory Committee expressed appreciation for the progress already made and for the well-structured network of stakeholders. It was a solid starting point that allowed the discussion to move straight into the implementation phase for 2026 and reaffirmed how the legacy of Matera 2019 continues to generate long-term vision and value.

Traces of Dialogue Between History and the Present

One of the most evocative moments of the visit was the stop at the Diocesan Museum, where a 16th-century Arabic edition of the Gospels offered a powerful symbol of interreligious dialogue. In the Cathedral, a sculpted capital depicting a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew captured the Committee’s attention with its message of peaceful coexistence. These are tangible reminders of a shared history of exchange and coexistence—testimonies that Matera still preserves and interprets.

During the walk through the Sassi districts, the Committee was introduced to two meaningful examples of local hospitality: one rooted in inclusive craftsmanship and the employment of people with disabilities, and the other combining boutique accommodation with cultural production. To mark the occasion, they were gifted a papier-mâché bell handcrafted by the social cooperative Oltre l’Arte—a symbolic object that embodies the idea of cultural transhumance, one of the cornerstones of Matera 2026.

Terre Immerse: The Project for 2026

The public highlight of the visit took place at the Chamber of Commerce, where the broader Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue program was introduced. After reflections on the ongoing experiences in Tirana and Alexandria, the spotlight turned to Matera and the Terre Immerse project, outlining its key themes, goals, and the opportunities it will create for the city and the wider region.

The second day focused on education and research. The Committee met with the Institute of Religious Studies of the Pontifical Southern University to discuss future collaborations on theological and interfaith dialogue. Later, they engaged with the University of Basilicata, learning about ongoing Mediterranean-focused projects: archaeological excavations in Tétouan, ethnomusicological research, studies on migration, and cultural heritage conservation. A rich constellation of perspectives that could further enrich the 2026 program.

Working alongside the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation team allowed for in-depth discussion on strategies, tools, and program development, with special attention to partnerships and community participation. This first visit helped shape the roadmap ahead, which will include a follow-up mission to Tétouan and a return to Matera later this year to assess progress.

A Path That Connects

This inaugural visit marked a key milestone—not just for Matera, but for the entire initiative. It was a moment in which words, visions, and intentions began to take shape as shared actions. A Mediterranean that speaks not only through voices, but through its symbols, its stones, and the gestures that continue to point toward the future.