Strengthening Adriatic-Ionian Cultural Cooperation: Ancona 2028 Meets Skopje 2028
On 20 May 2026, within the framework of the 11th EUSAIR Forum held in Skopje, Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Ancona Marta Paraventi paid an institutional visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje to further strengthen cultural relations between Ancona – Italian Capital of Culture 2028 - and Skopje - European Capital of Culture 2028.
The meeting represented an important step in the international outreach strategy launched by the Municipality of Ancona in preparation for 2028 and aimed at identifying concrete areas of cooperation between the two cities, both committed to promoting cultural dialogue, inclusion, creativity and intercultural exchange across Europe and the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The initiative was made possible thanks to the support of the Italian Embassy in Skopje and the cooperation of the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), based in Ancona, further confirming the Initiative’s role as a facilitator of regional dialogue and people-to-people connections across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Among the participants were Filippo Alabardi, Executive Officer of the AII Permanent Secretariat; Laze Tripkov, representative of the City of Skopje; Jovanka Gjorgjeva Kuzmanoska from the Ministry of Culture; Avni Qahili, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art; Jovan Grdanoski, Office Manager of the Museum; Vesna Dabevska from the administrative office; Angelika Apsis, Head of Marketing and Public Relations; as well as curators Blagoja Varashanec, Ira Dinovski and Vladimir Janchevski.
The encounter highlighted the strategic relevance of cultural diplomacy in fostering regional cooperation and strengthening ties between local communities in the Adriatic-Ionian area. Skopje, as a multicultural and dynamic Balkan city shaped by different languages, cultures and identities, offers important opportunities for dialogue with Ancona, whose cultural vision for 2028 is strongly rooted in its Adriatic, Ionian and Mediterranean vocation.
A particularly symbolic element of the visit was the presence at the museum of Monte Conero, an artwork by Italian artist Corrado Cagli, which represents a meaningful cultural connection between the Marche region and North Macedonia and further underlines the longstanding cultural ties linking the two territories.
“The meeting with Skopje represented an important milestone in the international path of Ancona 2028,” stated Marta Paraventi. “Two Capitals of Culture in the same year - one Italian and one European - have the opportunity to build a concrete dialogue focused on youth, creativity, inclusion, heritage and new forms of cultural cooperation.”
Councillor Paraventi also took part in the mission in her capacity as Secretary General of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC), reaffirming Ancona’s ambition to strengthen its role as a bridge between Italy, the Balkans and the wider Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
The visit further demonstrated how the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative continues to promote cooperation not only at governmental level, but also through cultural and institutional exchanges capable of creating long-term partnerships and fostering a shared regional identity based on dialogue, mutual understanding and common European values.