Italy and India. Two peninsulas, two nations heir to great civilisations, two worlds meeting at the heart of the Indo-Mediterranean.
Geography and distance may separate us, but we are united by a shared history, extraordinarily rich and shaped by encounters, exchanges, curiosity and mutual admiration.
A history spanning centuries, in which dialogue has become knowledge, trade has evolved into lasting relationships, and differences have served as a source of mutual inspiration.
It is the story of the spices and coins traded between the Roman Empire and the shores of Malabar; of Venetian explorers who reached the courts of the Mughals; of Rabindranath Tagore’s journeys to Italy; of Roberto Rossellini’s vision of India; of the writings of Alberto Moravia and Pier Paolo Pasolini, and of so many other artists, intellectuals and travellers who helped build a cultural bridge between our countries.
This is not merely a story of the past. It is a living relationship that continues to generate ideas, opportunities and new forms of cooperation.
It is in this spirit that, following the decision of Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Narendra Modi, Italy and India will celebrate the Italy–India Year of Culture and Tourism 2027.
Much more than a series of events, exhibitions and initiatives, it will be a journey through the creativity, knowledge and identity of both Italy and India; an opportunity to bring our two countries even closer to our respective audiences and to showcase, in our major cities and cultural centres, the extraordinary richness of our heritage.
From art to architecture, from design to fashion, from music to cinema, from gastronomy to scientific research, and from the protection to the enhancement of our cultural heritage, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, we will present an Italy capable of preserving a millennia-old tradition while, at the same time, innovating, creating and anticipating the future.
It will also be an opportunity to highlight the excellence of Italy’s regions and territories, promote our tourist destinations and strengthen awareness of Made in Italy: not merely a brand, but a wealth of creativity, expertise, quality and craftsmanship recognised throughout the world.
Exhibitions, concerts, performances, festivals, meetings, exchanges and innovation projects will bring to life a wide-ranging programme, engaging diverse audiences and creating tangible opportunities for artists, businesses, universities, institutions and citizens to meet and connect.
We want 2027 to be a year of discovery, but above all, a year of encounter.
A year in which Indian audiences can discover an even richer and more contemporary Italy, and Italians can gain an ever deeper understanding of India’s extraordinary cultural vitality, history and aspirations.
Because culture is not simply about preserving memory: it is a means of dialogue, understanding and friendship. And tourism is not simply about travelling: it is about discovery, experience and bringing people together.
2027 will therefore be an investment in the future of our relationship, an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between our societies and open up new avenues for cooperation.
Italy and India have already written many pages of history together. In 2027, we want to write a new one: through culture, through tourism and, above all, through people.
Join us and be part of this extraordinary new chapter in the friendship between Italy and India.