Belonging and Roots: Opportunity or Obstacle?

This cultural event has established itself over the years as a forum for dialogue and experimentation within the national and international art scene. It opens with the exhibition “2025 Traces of Peace” (*2025 Tracce di Pace*), featuring small-scale artworks collected for the Jubilee and involving artists, young people, schools of all levels, individuals with disabilities, and citizens from around the globe. The collection—a unique collaborative work—comprises over 900 individual panels mounted on MDF.
The theme chosen for this edition—“Belonging and Roots: Opportunity or Obstacle?”—invites both artists and the public to reflect on the meaning of identity today: do cultural and local roots represent a strength that fosters dialogue and innovation, or can they become a constraint on freedom of expression and individual growth?
The Biennale serves as an open laboratory designed to stimulate critical reflection through diverse artistic mediums—including painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, video art, and interdisciplinary collaborations—throughout the event’s run, which concludes on October 30th. The program also extends to the city of Viterbo, featuring a tribute to local artist Alberto Morucci at his studio in Piazza San Carluccio and a presentation of Vincenzo Eulisse’s “Fanta Biennale,” alongside numerous other upcoming initiatives.
Concurrently, the Emerging Art Prize—aimed at art academies and young creatives under the age of 28—will award three honors to new talents who stand out for their artistic research, originality, and alignment with the proposed theme. The Prize seeks to support and champion new generations by offering them visibility, exhibition opportunities, and tangible support for their professional growth.
Last but not least, the International Prize for Independent Culture in Motion returns, featuring nominees Shahd Rajab (Palestine), Kimia (Afghanistan), and Fabrizio Loiacono (Italy). Previous recipients include Bonaria Manca, Giorgio de Finis, Mauro Magni, and Davide Dormino.
With this ninth edition, the Viterbo Biennale renews its commitment to serving as a crossroads for contemporary cultures and visions, reaffirming the role of art as a vehicle for dialogue, awareness, and transformation.