The project “Lots of Italy in Houston”, presented by the General Consulate of Italy in Houston, was chosen among the winners of the “Capitals of Italian Creativity in the World 2026”, the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that recognizes the most effective projects of the diplomatic network in promoting Made in Italy abroad. Houston, in the last twenty years, has become one of the most important scientific and industrial centers in the United States, thanks to the Texas Medical Center – the largest healthcare complex in the world by number of facilities – and the historical presence of NASA, which continues to generate research programs and university collaborations with international institutions.
The aim of the project is to show the role of Italians and Italian-Americans in the cultural, economic and scientific development of the city. Houston hosts one of the most dynamic Italian communities in the South of the United States, with active associations such as the Italian Cultural & Community Center Foundation and thematic festivals such as the Houston Italian Festival, which every year records tens of thousands of visitors. The initiative also includes an interactive app to map Italian places and contributions on the territory, programs dedicated to schools and a series of activities that will involve neighbourhoods, cultural institutes and local partners.
The selection of the projects was entrusted to a commission with representatives of the MAECI, the Ministry of Culture and, for the first time, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The criteria used – originality, design quality and ability to dialogue with the local context – aim to reward proposals that can generate an impact on the spread of the image of Italy. The reference to the National Day of Made in Italy of 15 April, established in 2024, is one of the elements that led the construction of candidate initiatives.
The other two selected projects come from Belgrade and Bangkok, with interventions dedicated respectively to urban creativity in view of Expo 2027 and to the enhancement of coffee and Italian skills in restoration. The next edition of the competition will be launched in January 2026.
L’articolo Houston chosen among the “Capitali della Creatività Italiana nel Mondo 2026” proviene da IlNewyorkese.
