The splendid renaissance city of Urbino (Marche) has announced its candidature as European Capital of Culture 2019. The official presentation was backed by an international promotional committee headed by Jack Lang, former Minister of Culture with the Mitterrand government, France, and included top personalities from the world of culture.

Declaring in favour of Urbino's bid were Nobel prize winner Luc Montagnier, plus an impressive list of leading writers, artists, actors and intellectuals.

Gian Mario Spacca, President of the Marche Region declared that Urbino, the home of Raphael and the perfect personification of the Italian Renaissance could inspire a new utopia that could inspire a cultural Renaissance of Europe like that which took place five centuries ago.