Beautiful Reception for Beautiful Country: Cortona On The Move 2026

Cortona on The Move 2026 celebrated the 16th edition with an opening weekend to remember, July 16-19, 2026

Beautiful Country, the theme for Cortona On The Move 2026, explores the contemporary, cultural and historical aspects of Italy. Through the lens of more than 30 photographers, visitors experience folklore, relationships and everyday life framed by the unique Italian experience. It is an opportunity to reflect on the passing of time without influence of passing trends.

Peninsula, the headline exhibition of Cortona On the Move 2026, is an original commission curated by Artistic Director Renata Ferri. Featuring ten photographers, the collection tells a story of Italy as a place of inspiration, a destination for cultural experiences and a place many people call home. Presented in the historical surroundings of Fortezza del Girifalco, each exhibition space flows into the next, following a multifaceted story.

Echo Chamber by Guilia Parlato shows a rarely seen part of the Italian landscape. Exploring the subterranean world of caves, catacombs and air raid shelters. Smaller Lagoon by Matteo de Mayda presents an alternate angle of Venice, one of Italy’s most well known locations. Entirely bypassing the expected stereotype of bridges and gondolas, the project focuses on the complexity of the lagoon system and the unique environment created for wildlife. Mistral by Arianna Arcara explores an intensely personal relationship with Sardinia which grew and evolved through observation of the relationship between place, memory and the stories people tell.

Other venues hosting exhibitions for Cortona On The Move 2026 continue the narrative of a country continually changing or forever immortalised, depending on the perspective. Rest Stop: Italy Through the Lens of the Eni Archives in Palazzo Baldelli shows the transformation of Italy’s service stations from humble gas pump to complete rest stops featuring convenience stores and motels. The feeling of travel imparted by the development of services catering to drives who went from point A to B, through to those embracing the road trip experience. Sonata by Aaron Schuman, on show at Palazzo Anderini-Gili, explores Italy through a foreigner’s eyes, a series of abstractions, focussing on the detail and creating a sense of mystery around the wider story.

 

Innova at the Opening Weekend

For the opening weekend of Cortona On The Move 2026, there were a series of events spread over the days. Visitors were able to get guided tours of exhibitions, visit the bookshop for launch events and signings as well as participate in evening events including dinners, aperitifs, and live music.

The Innova team were present at Spazzio OFF alongside Center Chrome, the printmaker responsible for producing the exhibitions. Visiting photographers and curators were able to speak with the Innova Art team about the best papers for printing exhibitions or portfolios. Visitors were able to get hands on with the papers used to print the exhibitions, including Innova Editions® Photo Cotton Rag 315gsm (IFA-011), Innova Editions® Exhibition Cotton Gloss 335gsm (IFA-045), Innova FibaPrint® White Matte 280gsm (IFA-039) and more.

Visit Cortona On The Move 2026

Cortona On The Move is open until November 1st, 2026. Tickets are available online. Cortona is located in the Tuscany region with many places to stay in the town and surrounding area.