Pesaro mayor's homage to Kharkiv strong gesture-Franceschini

- ROME, MAR 16 - Culture Minister Dario Franceschini on Wednesday said the decision of the mayor of Pesaro to dedicate the Marche seaside town's nomination as Italian Culture Capital for 2024 to the war-torn Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was an "extremely beautiful gesture".
    "It is truly a very symbolic and very strong gesture", said Franceschini.
    "We have to continue to look forward and we hope that in 2024 all this will have been behind us for a long time".
    Speaking about the competition, the minister said it becomes "more virtuous and of quality each year".
    "It is truly a beautiful story", he went on to say, "also because during such complicated times in which we are dealing with war again, it forces us to reflect and act in every possible way".
    "We have to look ahead, with confidence and hope, to 2024", the minister concluded.
    Pesaro Mayor Matteo Ricci dedicated his city's victory to Kharkiv, describing it as "UNESCO city of music like us".