The institutional delegation from the Moroccan city of Tétouan, which shares with Matera the title of Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026, has concluded its visit to Matera. From April 9 to 11, three days of meetings and exchanges were dedicated to building a shared path. The MCCD 2026 title takes shape through relationships, exchanges and projects between the two shores of the Mediterranean, with a focus on culture, education, business and youth. From the Palombaro Lungo to the The Central Institute for Restoration (ICR), to the Foundation’s offices, the Crypt of Original Sin, the Murgia Materana Park and Palazzo Lanfranchi: these were the main stops of the visit programme, highlighting some of the most significant cultural, educational, and landscape heritage sites of the city. The Tétouan delegation included Anas El Yamlahi, General Coordinator of the project “Tétouan Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue”; Amina Bourjila, representative of the Municipality of Tétouan; Mehdi Zouak, Director of the National Institute of Fine Arts; Bouabid Bouzid, visual artist; and Jenane Zuaqui, representative of the association sector. The institutional meeting on the opening day, held at the Municipality of Matera, was attended by the Mayor of Matera, Antonio Nicoletti; the Councillor for Tourism and Culture, Simona Orsi; the Councillor for Youth Policies, Giuseppe Casino; the President of the City Council, Donato Braia; the Director of the Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019, Rita Orlando; the President of the Murgia Materana Park Authority, Giovanni Mianulli; the President of the Province of Matera, Francesco Mancini and Professor Michele Greco, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Basilicata. On Friday afternoon, a meeting took place with the Director of APT Basilicata, Margherita Sarli, together with local tourism and cultural operators, at the Open Space. On Saturday, at the Municipality, the City Council and the Executive Board met with the Tétouan delegation to outline strategic directions and share final greetings in view of a year of common goals.

This first journey together opens the way to a year of exchanges, relationships, and shared projects between Matera and Tétouan.