PESARO – Following the announcement by Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini that the coastal city will be the Capital of Culture 2024, Mayor Matteo Ricci said he will dedicate the victory to the war-torn Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, cultural sources said.

 Franceschini said the Mayor of Pesaro’s decision was a "very strong gesture,” while Ricci himself said, "it is a UNESCO city of music, just like us."

 Pesaro is the second most populous city in the Marche region and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. It has been called 'The City of Cycling' for its extensive cycle lane network and 'The City of Music' as the birthplace of Gioacchino Rossini.

 Mayor Ricci said he has been in contact the mayor of Kharkiv every day by e-mail since the war broke out. Pesaro has been active in helping Kharkiv by sending aid and hosting refugees.

  Commenting on the victory on Facebook, Mayor Ricci wrote, “with culture we learn to live together; above all we learn that we are not alone in the world, that there are other peoples and other traditions. We learn and grow. And my wish is just that.”

 The title of Italian Capital of Culture lasts one year and includes one million euros of public funding. Councilor for Culture of the Marche, Giorgia Latini, said the victory was a source of "great pride,” which “makes the Marche rise to the top step.”

 The other cities in the running were Ascoli Piceno, Chioggia, Grosseto, Mesagne, Sestri Levante with Tigullio, Syracuse, the union of the municipalities Paestum-Alto Cilento, Viareggio and Vicenza.

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