(ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - Culture Minister Dario
Franceschini announced Friday that Parma will be the Italian
capital of culture in 2020.
The northern city beat off competition from fellow finalists
Agrigento, Bitonto, Casale Monferrato, Macerata, Merano, Nuoro,
Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Treviso to get the nod from a jury
headed by Stefano Baia Curioni.
The jury said Parma was "a virtuous and extremely
high-quality example of local culturally based planning".
Parma Mayor Federico Pizzarotti said "I'm rarely left
speechless but this time it's happened. I'm really thrilled".
A crowd in the city's main square shouted out "Yes!".
Emilia Romagna Governor Stefano Bonaccini said "this is
further recognition for the beauty, heritage, and excellence of
our land".
Publisher Franca Maria Ricci said "we Parmesans ahev been a
capital for a long time: with the Farneses, the Bourbons, then
with Napoleon and Maria Luigia.
"Parma has always had the allure of an international,
cultured, cosmopolitan city".
Parma Italian capital of culture 2020 (4)
Northern city beats off competition from Nuoro, Treviso, others