By Our Editorial Staff
One year after our first meeting and with the Christmas holidays approaching, I have the pleasure of meeting again with the Mayor of Gualdo Tadino, Massimiliano Presciutti, to jointly review the past year 2025 and share some reflections on the future.
Good morning, Mr. Mayor. It has been a year since our initial meeting; what have been the greatest challenges you have faced, and conversely, what were the most rewarding aspects of this past year?
The year 2025 was significant: on one hand, we advanced and completed various projects (sports facilities, roadways, transportation, etc.), while on the other hand we continued to plan for the future with important results, considering the substantial funding we managed to secure even in this concluding year.
What is the current situation? Are there issues or priorities you wish to focus on, and how do you intend to address them?
There are two major topics that have long engaged public discussion both within and beyond our community. The first is the restoration of the entire Valle del Fonno area (Rocchetta), where we have now reached a concrete turning point that will allow us, starting next year, to commence an extensive recovery project. This will enable us to return a valuable natural area not only to the residents of Gualdo but also to the wider regional and national community. The second topic concerns the redevelopment of the former Calai Hospital area, which will also see concrete progress in the coming year, accompanied by positive developments that will be capable of revitalizing high-quality services and bringing new momentum and life to a fundamental part of our historic center.
Are there any planned initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents? If so, what are they?
The quality of life in our municipality is undoubtedly a key factor in its competitiveness and attractiveness. It is no coincidence that we are witnessing a phenomenon of new residential influx from various parts of Italy and Europe. We have invested significantly in service quality and accessibility, achieving the prestigious recognition of the Lilla Flag. It is our intention to continue pursuing this path.
Gualdo Tadino is one of the ten municipalities within the North-East Umbria Internal Area, an Apennine territory committed to promoting socio-economic development. How are relations with neighboring municipalities, and what hopes and objectives would you like to achieve for the entire area?
The North-East Internal Area represents both a great challenge and a significant opportunity. Relations with other municipalities are excellent. A strong community spirit has been established, nurtured, and continues to strengthen, including at a personal level. We have many ongoing projects that we have shared collaboratively, and it is our intention to continue moving toward forming a true Union of Municipalities.
The Alto Chiascio region is rich in traditions and culture, characterized fundamentally by its dynamic and enterprising people. These distinctive qualities truly make a difference and will enable the achievement of significant milestones.
Finally, on a more personal note, having lived among and listened to the community, I have perceived the genuine trust that people place in your work. What is your secret to fostering such an effective dialogue between the administration and the citizens?
There are no secrets; it simply requires staying grounded and not placing oneself on a pedestal. It is also important to strive in every possible way to provide clear and understandable answers, even when those answers may be uncomfortable or unpopular. Serving as the Mayor of one’s own city is one of the most rewarding roles in the world, but it is a responsibility that must be carried out daily with discipline and honor, fully aware that one is both the foremost representative and also the last citizen whom one has the privilege to serve. I have always said, and I reaffirm, that I feel I have two families: first, my personal family with my dearest loved ones to whom I am deeply attached; second, the civic community which I will continue to serve with all my heart until my very last day in office.
I thank Mr. Mayor and now turn attention to the cultural and tourism activities of Gualdo Tadino, which are particularly dear to us. At this point, I welcome Councillor for Culture and Tourism Gabriele Bazzucchi.
Good morning, Councillor. The year 2025 is coming to a close, and for Gualdo Tadino, it has been a period marked by numerous remarkable cultural initiatives and new tourist attractions. Let us take a brief journey through the most significant moments of this departing year. Which have been the most decisive?
The year drawing to an end has represented an extraordinary season of cultural and touristic vitality for Gualdo Tadino. Among the many events that enriched 2025, special mention must be made of “I Giochi de le Porte,” an authentic historical reenactment that, as every year, has stirred enthusiasm, reinforced the sense of community belonging, and attracted an increasingly broad audience. Alongside this emblematic event, the “Biancospino Music Festival” marked a further step forward: eight events dedicated to classical music and its most refined fusions confirmed our city’s vocation as a crossroads of artistic excellence. The film festival “Calici di Stelle” held at Rocca Flea also achieved great success, as did the evocative concert “Suoni Controvento” featuring PFM in Valsorda and the moving performance by Grazia Di Michele in Piazza Martiri della Libertà. Additionally, numerous cultural, social, and entertainment activities punctuated the months of the year, transforming Gualdo Tadino into a lively laboratory-attractive and rich with high-profile offerings. A series of events has successfully highlighted the unique characteristics of our territory and strengthened its position within the regional cultural offering.
As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas holidays, are there any new initiatives compared to last year aimed at attracting different types of tourism during the festive period?
In anticipation of the Christmas season, we have sought to further enhance our capacity for hospitality and tourist attraction by enriching the program with initiatives designed to engage diverse audiences. The museum complex will take center stage with exclusive exhibitions, special openings, and targeted valorizations of the city’s historical and artistic heritage. At Rocca Flea, the enchanting Santa Claus House will come to life, captivating families and visitors of all ages. The historic center, adorned with artistic lighting and an especially spectacular Christmas tree, will host widespread entertainment activities: animated readings in the alleyways, art performances, dance, music, small shows, and cultural events in the square, museums, and theaters. The objective is to offer an immersive experience that enhances Gualdo’s Christmas atmosphere while simultaneously generating positive impacts for the local economy and community.
What are the main objectives for next year, and what opportunities do you foresee for the cultural and touristic growth of our territory?
The outlook towards 2026 is driven by an ambitious and forward-thinking vision. We are developing initiatives aimed at increasingly enhancing the historical and cultural heritage of our city through significant events and dedicated programs that promote our excellences. A major project for the renovation and enhancement of tourist signage, both physical and digital, is planned, serving as an essential tool to make the narrative of the territory more immediate, modern, and accessible. Concurrently, new investments will be launched, funded by municipal resources as well as through collaboration with supra-municipal entities, to support cultural growth, improve citizens’ well-being, and firmly establish Gualdo Tadino’s tourist appeal on a solid foundation. Our commitment is to build a dynamic, inclusive cultural ecosystem capable of generating lasting prospects for the city and all who live in or visit it.
Info: Comune di Gualdo Tadino / Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 4 / Tel 075 915021 / turismo@tadino.it / www.tadino.it