Palermo, October 8, 2018 - The Autostrada Biennale team introduced its first book to the Italian public in Manifesta12 biennial, one of the main events of this year in Italy.

Autostrada Biennale, after its first successful 2017 edition, has published its first book named “Autostrada Biennale: The Common Book” which aims to promote the biennial to the worldwide by having talks and events.

This year Palermo has been selected as the cultural capital of Italy and for this reason the biennial team has decided to hold the first presentation of the book at Teatro Garibaldi in one of the most renowned theaters specially restored for the Manifesta12 event.

The presentation was about on the idea of establishing the Autostrada Biennale and the activities carried out during the joint journey.

The whole discussion about the book was focused on how the biennial has established the city and its citizens as a very important part of its organized events, by including them regardless of their nationality, religion or cultural backgrounds. This was the very purpose of the Biennial, namely breaking up and wiping out borders and taboos of our society.

Meanwhile it was discussed on how the biennial has come together with citizens and strategic partners and has created new spaces for art exhibitions, informal education, as well as discussions and reflections. We facilitated this platform in the name of freedom of expression, cultural exchange and critical thinking, with the purpose of maintaining inter-cultural and inter-ethnic tolerance, promoting democratic thought, preserving the environment, and appreciating cultural heritage.

The biennial has managed to attract art enthusiasts, and consequently generate revenue for the city through sustainable cultural tourism. Throughout our work we promote also Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 for our country.

Partners and supporters of the book and the agenda of promotion are: UNKT - United Nations Kosovo Team – more specifically Development Coordinator’s Office, Swiss Development and Cooperation Office in Prishtina, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in Kosovo, Ministry of Diaspora and Strategic Investments in Kosovo, Municipality of Prizren and Municipality of Prishtina.

Manifesta is the European Nomadic Biennial, held in a different host city every two years. It is a major international art event, attracting visitors from all over the world. Manifesta is the go-to place for discovering emerging artists, thought-provoking ideas, new artworks especially commissioned for the event, and creative experiences in dialogue with spectacular locations of each host city.

This year the city of Palermo is hosting the Manifesta 12. The City of Palermo was important for Manifesta for its representation of two important themes that identify contemporary Europe: migration and climate change and how these issues impact our cities. The multi-layered and deeply condensed history of Palermo – being occupied by almost every European civilization and having long-term connections with Northern Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean over the last 2000 years – has left its traces throughout this multi-cultural society at the heart of the Mediterranean area.