The northern Italian cities of Bergamo and Brescia take up their joint status as Italy's Capital of Culture 2023 with a year-long programme of cultural events kicking off on Friday 20 January. The celebrations begin at 17.00 with a simultaneous inauguration ceremony at Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo, attended by Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, and Teatro Grande in Brescia, in the presence of Italy's president Sergio Mattarellla.

The two cities - located 50 km apart in the Lombardia region, east of Milan - were awarded the joint culture capital title in July 2020. Bypassing the usual application process, the Italian parliament approved the candidature in "a symbol of hope and rebirth" for Bergamo and Brescia, both of which were devastated by the covid pandemic.