Rome, May 15, 2026 – The 4th edition of the ‘FUORI SEDE’ – Festival of Foreign Academies and Cultural Institutes – has commenced in Rome, running from May 14 to July 31, 2026. Curated by Francesca Barbi Marinetti, the festival is a collaborative effort promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and Azienda Speciale Palaexpo, in partnership with numerous foreign academies and cultural institutes active in the city. Events will be hosted at Palazzo Esposizioni Roma and various locations within the network of participating academies.
A Celebration of Rome’s Unique Cultural Landscape
The organizers emphasize that “the presence of foreign academies and cultural institutes represents one of the most peculiar characteristics of Rome’s cultural panorama.” These institutions, through residency and research programs, annually welcome artists, scholars, writers, curators, architects, and researchers from across the globe. This influx contributes to a vibrant international community that experiences and interprets the city through diverse perspectives, practices, and languages.
The festival’s primary objective is to “enhance this continuous dialogue between the various academic communities and the city’s cultural fabric, reaffirming the role of academies and institutes as spaces for cultural production, exchange, and experimentation.” Francesca Barbi Marinetti, the curator, further notes that the festival “embodies the vocation of Palazzo delle Esposizioni and Macro as dynamic places and crossroads of international inclinations, sensibilities, and cultural effervescence.”
Extensive Program of Events and Free Admission
Beyond the main public program, ‘FUORI SEDE’ aims to spotlight the rich independent programming of the involved academies. The schedule includes a wide array of appointments, ranging from open studios and exhibitions to meetings, concerts, and screenings. The complete and continuously updated program is accessible on the official website, www.palazzoesposizioniroma.it, throughout the festival’s duration. All events offer free admission, subject to availability, with the option for reservation.
Participating Institutions
The festival is realized with the collaboration of a distinguished list of institutions, including:
- Academia Belgica
- French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici
- Egyptian Academy in Rome
- Romanian Academy in Rome
- Hungarian Academy in Rome
- National Academy of San Luca
- German Academy Rome Villa Massimo
- American Academy in Rome
- Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History
- British School at Rome
- Czech Center Rome
- Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center
- Scandinavian Circle
- Austrian Cultural Forum Rome
- Goethe-Institut Rom
- IILA – International Italo-Latin American Organization
- Finnish Institute in Rome
- Polish Institute in Rome
- Slovak Institute in Rome
- Swiss Institute
- Embassy of New Zealand in Italy
- Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome
This extensive collaboration underscores the festival’s commitment to fostering international cultural exchange and showcasing the diverse contributions of these institutions to Rome’s vibrant arts and intellectual scene.
The ‘FUORI SEDE’ festival offers a unique opportunity for both residents and visitors to engage with a broad spectrum of international cultural expressions, reinforcing Rome’s status as a global hub for art, research, and dialogue.
Source: El Itagnol
