On May 22 the NATO summit on Mediterranean security will officially launch the celebrations for the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Naples, marking the first event in the program designed by the National Committee Neapolis 2500, established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
Throughout 2025, the city and other sites in the Vesuvian area will host events and international figures, with the goal not only of celebrating this important anniversary but also of generating constructive dialogue in which Naples can contribute, building on its traditions, to shaping the future of Europe and the West.
The program, presented today at a press conference by the President, Prefect of Naples Michele di Bari, and other members of the National Committee Neapolis 2500 – Maestro Pupi Avati, Rector of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University Lucio D’Alessandro, entrepreneur Maria Luisa Faraone Mennella, Ambassador Pasquale Ferrara, endocrinologist Salvatore Longobardi, and journalist and writer Gennaro Sangiuliano – follows four main pillars: culture, diplomacy, enterprise, and internationalization.
“Just about two months since the creation of the National Committee Neapolis 2500, we are proud to present today an ambitious and structured planning program,” commented Prefect of Naples Michele di Bari, President of the National Committee Neapolis 2500.“It will give a strong boost to the role this city can play in a complex and ever-changing global context. The logo-concept ‘Napoli Musa’ embodies this ambition: it aims to reaffirm Naples’ strong sense of identity and history, alongside its unique ability to positively influence through culture, creativity, art, and know-how.”
The initiatives of the National Committee Neapolis 2500 will bring to Naples representatives from institutions, government bodies, the scientific and academic world, while also bringing abroad Naples’ cultural, artistic, entrepreneurial, and scientific value. The goal is to foster meaningful dialogue capable of generating an ecosystem that directly connects Naples’ current realities with a forward-looking vision of progress.
“Alongside the many projects already approved, we are evaluating others that will take the city onto the world stage,” concluded Michele di Bari, President of the National Committee Neapolis 2500. “We aim to reach an international audience thanks to the work we will carry out in collaboration with Embassies and the 85 Italian Cultural Institutes abroad. We want this to be an important and proud moment for Neapolitans of every generation, living and working in all corners of the world.”
The National Committee Neapolis 2500 will promote, throughout 2025, new initiatives within the total funding allocation of 7 million euros, made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, and further supported by contributions from private sector partners.