Seventy years of history deserve to be celebrated. And so it was for this important milestone in the life of the Città Nuova magazine, which was founded in 1956. This is no mean feat in a world in which the media are facing a serious crisis. But if Città Nuova exists, it certainly owes it to all those who have worked and are working for it, people who feel a personal responsibility to do everything they can to give a voice to those who believe in fraternity. It also owes its success to its community of readers, who are equally convinced of the message the magazine conveys.

A celebration, indeed. A gathering of people reconnecting after a period apart and rediscovering the same atmosphere that characterised some of Città Nuova’s recent landmark events, such as LoppianoLab and Città Nuova Day. These events, which brought together thousands of people, have strengthened the community and demonstrated the magazine’s cultural impact.

The two-day festival begins with a message from Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, who, said: “Dear Editor, I have always followed with interest the commitment that you and your editorial team renew every month through the pages of ‘Città Nuova’, a space for reflection that engages with the present by going beyond the surface of the news, through careful analysis and authentic voices. This publishing project, born seventy years ago from Chiara Lubich’s far-sighted vision, has been able to translate deep rooted values into an ongoing dialogue with modernity, at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society. is an ideal compass that I find at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society.” It is an ideal compass that I find at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society.”

It is difficult to convey the complexity of the contributions in just a few lines. For a more comprehensive account, we refer you to the Città Nuova website and YouTube channel.

Broadly speaking, the programme addressed the theme of peace through a round-table discussion entitled “Disarming Information to Build Peace”. There was also an opportunity to reflect on children in urban settings and the importance of learning to manage emotions, as well as the role of diplomacy and interreligious dialogue. Speaking in this context, the President of the Focolare, Margaret Karram, did not gloss over the many challenges faced in the Middle East. Nevertheless, she affirmed that “the vocation of Christians in the Holy Land, and wherever there are divisions, violence and polarisation, is this: to rebuild trust in order to reopen dialogue, without renouncing either truth and justice or the other person.

The second day included the sharing of numerous initiatives at local level under the title “Good deeds must be practised and shared”. There was a focus on social commitment and Città Nuova’s prison project. Another session explored the importance of networking, a distinctive feature of the Città Nuova approach, with an in-depth contribution from Roberto Almada, Co-President of the Focolare Movement. And how could the occasion pass without remembering the magazine’s first editor, Igino Giordani?

The Mediterranean also featured in the programme, with an interview by Luca Gentile, Director of Città Nuova Publishing, with Sergio Nazzaro, author of the book Mediterranea: Migration Routes, Political and Criminal Networks, published by Città Nuova in September 2026.

The programme concluded with an interview by Riccardo Barlaam, the magazine’s newly appointed editor, with Romano Prodi, who served twice as Prime Minister of Italy (1996–1998 and 2006–2008), on geopolitical balances and the future of Europe. This was followed by a discussion involving Michele Zanzucchi, journalist and writer and former editor of Città Nuova; Stefano Zamagni, economist; and Vittorio Pelligra, Professor of Economics and Statistics at the University of Cagliari, Italy. They explored the value of the human person in the face of economic transformations and artificial intelligence.

As everyone said their goodbyes, it seemed quite natural to say: “See you again next year!”Salutandoci fra tutti veniva spontaneo dirsi “ci rivediamo l’anno prossimo”.

di Aurora Nicosia
Photo: © Carlos Mana – CSC Audiovisivi