The visual identity of Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026
Here is the official logo of Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026 that is the result of a public call launched in collaboration with AIAP – the Italian Association for Visual Communication Design.
The logo was selected from among 80 proposals submitted by Italian and international design studios, evaluated by a panel of experts. Five finalists were invited to develop full projects. The competition also required the active involvement of young professionals under 25 as part of the creative teams.
The sign
The logo was designed by studio FM milano. At first glance, it appears as the letter “M”, but it quickly reveals itself to be much more: a universal, fluid, essential, and modular sign. Its strength lies in its ability to contain multiple meanings without losing any.
The logo’s key feature is its double curved profile. Two lines run parallel, intertwining and touching – evoking a sound wave. This movement expresses the idea of dialogue: a continuous exchange, a vibration crossing languages, cultures, times, and territories.
These same curves can also be read as geographical reliefs, marine horizons, or geological layers – visual elements that recall Matera, the Mediterranean, and a history made of sedimentations and crossings.
In this way, the “M” is not only the initial of Matera, but also a visual synthesis of a complex and layered territory, and a symbol of a shared and evolving project.
A dynamic identity
The visual system that accompanies the logo is designed to be dynamic, accessible, and contemporary.
The shape of the “M” is modular: it can be compact or expanded, expressing different degrees of message intensity – from a whisper to a call.
The colour palette is inspired by the Mediterranean scrub: deep, earthy, plant-based tones that evoke the atmosphere of the South. The chosen typeface, Inclusive Sans, ensures readability and accessibility, even in digital environments.
The identity is completed by a set of icons and a flexible visual system, adaptable to the wide range of cultural communication formats to come.
