London, 23 January 2026 – The Venice Seminar for the British Press, a prestigious public-diplomacy event organised by the Embassy of Italy in London, marked its 30th anniversary this year.
The Seminar is an annual event, launched in 1996, and has established itself as one of the longest-running and most authoritative public-diplomacy initiatives of the Italian diplomatic and consular network around the world. It represents a key forum for dialogue between the British media and Italy’s institutions, businesses, financial sector, and research and cultural communities.
The anniversary edition took place over three days, from 15 to 18 January. For the first time ever it included a stopover in Rome, for a one-off audience with the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. In his address, President Mattarella highlighted the fundamental role of press freedom as a pillar of democracy and the excellent relationship of friendship and cooperation between Italy and the United Kingdom.
Participants then travelled to Venice in dedicated carriages on a high-speed FS International train. In the evocative setting of Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti overlooking the Grand Canal, two days of discussions took place, opened by the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Inigo Lambertini.
“This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Seminar, the most important public-diplomacy initiative of the Italian diplomatic network worldwide,” said the Ambassador. He described the conference as “a unique format bringing together representatives of the Italian government and public institutions, British and Italian journalists, and the leadership of Italy’s largest companies, to discuss current affairs and political, economic, financial and cultural priorities.”
The 2026 edition brought together an exceptionally broad and distinguished panel of speakers. The opening session featured Alessandro Cattaneo, Chair of the Italy–UK Parliamentary Friendship Group; the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro; the President of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Andrea Rinaldo; the President of La Biennale di Venezia, Pierangelo Buttafoco; and the Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, who highlighted the strategic objective of a sustainable tourism model spread across the entire Italian peninsula.
Held behind closed doors under the Chatham House Rule, the conference ensured a climate of trust and openness, fostering frank, in-depth discussions on the biggest geopolitical, economic, infrastructural, technological and cultural challenges of our time. The Venice Seminar thus offered the British press privileged access to first-hand information on Italy’s political priorities and strategies, while strengthening understanding of the country’s role on the international stage.
Representatives from Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca Finint and SAVE Group, Italgas, Prysmian, Poste Italiane, Ferrovie dello Stato International, Leonardo, Mundys, Eni, FiberCop, Reply, Legance and ICE took part in the proceedings. The high-level participation of speakers from leading financial and economic institutions confirmed the strong interest in dialogue with opinion leaders from major British media outlets and the importance of promoting Italy’s strategic vision in the United Kingdom and international markets.
A panel discussion on the geopolitical role of critical infrastructure was opened by Elisabetta Pellegrini, Head of the Technical Structure of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The second session examined sustainable tourism and the art of Italian hospitality. A session on the macroeconomic and financial outlook included a presentation by the Director General of the Treasury, Riccardo Barbieri Hermitte. The discussion on artificial intelligence and the future of journalism had contributions from the Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, Mitali Mukherjee, as well as the editors of Wired Italia, Luca Zorloni, and Il Foglio, Claudio Cerasa. The Seminar concluded with an address by Professor Giulio Tremonti, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, who offered reflections on the current international geopolitical landscape.
Alongside the working sessions, the programme also included a cultural dimension, with exclusive events such as a night-time visit to St Mark’s Basilica, hosted by the Patriarch, Monsignor Moraglia; a gala dinner at the Venice Biennale; and a closing aperitif at the Marciana Library, where a cocktail called “Bridge of Senses”, specially created by Campari for the 30th edition of the Seminar, was served, harmoniously combining Italian and British ingredients.
At the conclusion of the Seminar, participants visited the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic Astoria winery and the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG hosted a food and wine tour to showcase Italian gastronomy and to highlight the commitment and passion of local companies.
On its 30th anniversary, the Venice Seminar for the British Press has once again shown itself to be a successful Italian public-diplomacy initiative, capable of promoting dialogue with the United Kingdom and conveying the image of a dynamic, innovative and forward-looking Italy.
