The 2026 edition of Materadio, Rai Radio3’s Festival, has successfully come to a close marking its return to the city in the year of Matera 2026 Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. The three-day event transformed Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Cineteatro Guerrieri, Palazzo Lanfranchi and TAM – Tower Art Museum into vibrant spaces for exchange and participation. Through radio, music, theatre and literature, the festival explored some of today’s most important issues, from geopolitics and human rights to gender-based violence and social change, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean.

Artists, intellectuals and leading figures from the world of journalism and broadcasting also contributed to the festival. Highlights included a poetry reading dedicated to Amelia Rosselli and Rocco Scotellaro, featuring Antonella Anedda and Ulderico Pesce; a theatrical performance by Ascanio Celestini and the screening of the movie Se domani non torno, followed by a discussion with Gino Cecchettin and director Paola Randi, dedicated to the memory of Giulia Cecchettin and the fight against violence against women.

Live music also brought powerful emotions and enthusiastic audiences, with performances including a concert by the pan-African collective Les Amazones d’Afrique, Sulle ferite aperte, and Carmen Consoli, who combined music and theatre with Leonilde, a monologue by Francesca Ritrovato. The festival concluded with Vulcano, a concert by Banda Rulli Frulli, which, in keeping with tradition, filled Piazza Vittorio Veneto with a message of inclusion through music, bringing the three-day celebration to a memorable close.

Cineteatro Guerrieri also hosted live broadcasts of some of Rai Radio3’s most established programmes, including Fahrenheit, Hollywood Party, Tutta la città ne parla, Zazà, Lezioni di Musica and Voci in Barcaccia. Among the guests taking part in the discussions were Nicola Lagioia, Alessandro Vanoli, Lucia Goracci, Paola Caridi, Davide Lerner, Michele dall’Ongaro and Emanuele Arciuli, alongside numerous musicians and students from Matera’s Egidio Romualdo Duni Conservatory.

The programme was further enriched by Materadio OFF, which brought museums and cultural venues across the city into the festival through initiatives dedicated to art, memory and sound experimentation. At Palazzo Lanfranchi, special guided tours invited visitors to discover works by Carlo Levi and Mimmo Jodice, accompanied by live musical performances. Meanwhile, TAM – Tower Art Museum paid tribute to Pinotto Fava and the pioneering radio programme Audiobox, featuring Audiobox Remix curated by Ghighi Di Paola, alongside DJ sets and collective listening sessions curated by the editorial team of Tre Soldi.

The return of Materadio has further strengthened the longstanding relationship between Rai Radio3 and the city of Matera, a connection that began during the preparations for Matera 2019 European Capital of Culture and has grown stronger over the years. This bond continues to flourish, offering renewed opportunities for cultural exchange, shared experiences and collective participation.

Materadio 2026 is an initiative by Rai Radio3, produced by Rai Com in collaboration with the Basilicata Region, with the contribution of the Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019 and the support of the Municipality of Matera and the Italian Ministry of Culture.