Marche region highlights culture and cuisine at Italy’s Republic Day event in Paris

On June 2, 2025, the Marche region of Italy took center stage in Paris during a special event organized by the Italian diplomatic representation at UNESCO. The occasion marked Italy’s Republic Day and brought together permanent foreign representatives, their delegations, and members of both the Italian and international communities residing in the French capital. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters, with the aim of showcasing the cultural, artistic, and gastronomic excellence of the Marche region.

The invitation to participate came from Liborio Stellino, Italy’s ambassador to UNESCO. The Marche region accepted with enthusiasm, seeing it as an opportunity to present its unique heritage to a global audience. Andrea Maria Antonini, regional councilor for Productive Activities, emphasized the significance of the invitation. He stated that the event would allow Marche to highlight its strengths in culture, art, and food and wine production.

The initiative was organized in collaboration with Atim, the Agency for Tourism and Internationalization of the Marche. It also served as a strategic move to promote tourism between France and Marche, especially given the direct flight connection between Ancona and Paris. France remains one of the most important foreign markets for tourism in Marche, making this event a key opportunity to strengthen ties and attract more visitors.

This is not the first time Marche has been featured in high-profile events in Paris. In May 2023, the region participated in an event marking the launch of the Ancona-Paris flight. In November 2024, Marche cuisine was highlighted during a week dedicated to Italian gastronomy, supporting Italy’s bid for UNESCO recognition of its culinary traditions. In March 2025, Marche’s fashion industry was showcased at the Italian Embassy during Paris Fashion Week. According to Councilor Antonini, these efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote all aspects of Marche’s excellence on an international stage.

Antonini also pointed out that Marche is home to Urbino, one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world. The city has played a leading role in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, coordinated by Fabriano until 2023. These distinctions underline Marche’s longstanding commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural assets.

Marina Santucci, director of Atim, attended the Paris event as well. She highlighted that Marche’s presence focused on both food and wine promotion and on raising awareness about its architectural and theatrical heritage. Some of these sites are currently under consideration for UNESCO recognition. Santucci described the event as an important platform for presenting Marche’s artistic treasures to an influential international audience.

A highlight of the evening was a show cooking demonstration by chef Daniele Citeroni. Guests were invited to taste traditional dishes from Marche, offering them an authentic experience of the region’s flavors. The culinary presentation aimed to reinforce Marche’s reputation for high-quality food and wine.

Councilor Antonini concluded that Paris remains a crucial location for promoting Marche abroad. He expressed confidence that this latest initiative would further enhance the region’s image and attract new interest from both tourists and cultural institutions worldwide. The ongoing collaboration between local authorities and international partners continues to position Marche as a leading destination for culture, gastronomy, and tourism on the global stage.