Pesaro: Italian Capital of Culture 2024 and the “Walking Forest” event
In the heart of Italy, among the gentle hills of the Adriatic, lies Pesaro, a city steeped in history, art and culture. But 2024 brought a special atmosphere, transforming Pesaro into the Italian Capital of Culture. Against this backdrop of cultural celebration, a unique event captured the imagination of residents and visitors alike: “The Walking Forest”.
Thus begins the journey of one hundred trees and shrubs which, over eight stages, will travel through key locations in Pesaro, carrying with them not only the beauty of nature but also a message of regeneration and sustainability. Mulberries, plane trees and black locusts, all contained in hemp planters, become the protagonists of an installation that transforms the city-centre streets into a living forest, illustrating the close relationship between people and the environment.
The journey begins in Viale della Liberazione, with a ceremony filled with emotion and hope for the future. Students from Liceo Mamiani and the hospitality institute, together with Pesaro 2024 volunteers, take care of moving the plants, joining forces to ensure the success of this ecological initiative. Along the route, musical and artistic events bring the streets to life, creating a festive and engaging atmosphere that invites everyone to take part.
The stages of the Walking Forest
For the first two weeks, the Forest is hosted in Piazza del Popolo, where the trees become the focus of meetings, discussions and shared reflection on the importance of nature in our everyday lives. Residents of Pesaro and visitors are invited to contemplate the beauty of the trees, reflect on their symbolic meaning and play an active role in environmental preservation.
But the journey does not end there. Moving through winding streets and welcoming alleyways, the Forest continues towards its final destination: the grounds of the Santa Marta Hospitality Institute. Here, among historic buildings and carefully maintained gardens, the trees find their permanent home, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of Pesaro and its residents.
“The Walking Forest” is not only an artistic event, but also a statement of intent for a greener and more sustainable future. With its designation as Italian Capital of Culture, Pesaro confirms its role as a beacon of innovation and creativity, a place where art, history and nature come together harmoniously to inspire and amaze. And as the last rays of sunlight paint the sky orange, Pesaro proudly welcomes its Forest, aware that every step towards sustainability is also a step towards a better future for everyone.
In the video below you can listen to Olga Moskvina:
What is there to see in Pesaro, Capital of Culture?
Pesaro offers a wide range of cultural attractions, including the Via dell’Abbondanza Archaeological Area, San Giovanni Library, Casa Rossini, Pescheria Visual Arts Centre, the Conventino dei Serviti di Maria in Monteciccardo, the Rossini National Museum, Officine Benelli Museum and Palazzo Mosca – Civic Museums. Each place tells part of Pesaro’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Why was Pesaro chosen as Capital of Culture 2024?
Pesaro’s selection as Capital of Culture 2024 recognises the city’s important cultural heritage and provides an opportunity to showcase its diversity and cultural richness.
Who made the hemp planters?
The hemp planters were made by Tecnocanapa by Senini, a company based in the Brescia area specialising in sustainable construction and using hemp as a primary material for its buildings and blocks.
Tecnocanapa Bioedilizia by Senini is a company whose goal is to bring sustainable innovation to the construction sector and promote the development of our country. The company focuses on sustainable construction, natural building materials and energy-efficiency technologies. At Tecnocanapa, we are aware that energy savings and healthy indoor environments have become fundamental to quality of life and to maintaining property value over time.
We are committed to reducing the energy consumption of new and existing buildings and improving occupants’ indoor comfort. We use natural construction and insulation systems such as Bio Beton® and Blocco Ambiente®, composed mainly of hemp and lime.
We are also active members of organisations that share our mission of regenerating social, environmental and economic systems. It is important to highlight that Tecnocanapa actively contributed to Pesaro’s “Walking Forest” event by making the hemp planters for the travelling trees.
Who was involved in organising the "Walking Forest" event?
The project was coordinated by Michele Gambini, a city councillor, and operational responsibility was entrusted to Aspes, the implementing body. Olga Moskvina, a landscape architect, oversaw design and logistics, while Sergio Paladino was responsible for the artistic and educational events. The support of Civil Protection and the 28th ‘Pavia’ Regiment was fundamental to the success of the event.
What is the story behind the "Walking Forest" project?
The project began in October 2023 through participatory meetings that highlighted the need for regenerative and sustainable transformation. The idea of involving the Santa Marta Hospitality Institute was positively received by local authorities. The project aims to bring trees into urban spaces in order to reimagine them and promote environmental sustainability.
What are the objectives of the "Walking Forest" project?
The main objective is to transform urban spaces through the presence of trees, creating a visual impact and promoting environmental sustainability. The project also aims to actively involve the local community and leave a positive, lasting mark on the city.
The intention is to move trees into urban areas where vegetation is unusual, creating a striking visual effect. The idea was developed through a participatory process intended to generate significant and lasting change in the city: the 100 plants, which begin their journey this Saturday, will eventually be planted in the area surrounding the Santa Marta Institute, transforming a currently barren space into a woodland that will also include green areas for classrooms.
The main objective is to invest significant resources in regenerating a space that does not meet the quality standards that should be guaranteed to a school, while at the same time promoting environmental transformation and sustainability. During the five months before they arrive at Santa Marta, the forest will be visible in different parts of the city, as the 100 plants will periodically be moved to urban spaces lacking vegetation. This is an extremely complex logistical operation with few precedents in Italy or elsewhere in the world.
Great attention is paid to plant safety, using planters designed to protect them from sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
The entire project, however, was designed to protect the plants and minimise waste at the end of the event, thereby ensuring environmental sustainability.
For this purpose, the planters are made from natural hemp panels and raw earth, materials that will subsequently also be used in the landscaping of the Santa Marta area and can be buried so that they compost.
