Illycaffè and Barcolana presented by Benerali unveil the official poster for the 2026 edition, created by Serse Roma

illycaffè and Barcolana presented by Generali are preparing for the 58th edition of the regatta by unveiling the official poster created by Serse Roma, one of the leading figures in contemporary drawing. An artist with deep ties to Trieste, Roma joins illycaffè and Barcolana in conveying the spirit and values of the event, following in the footsteps of Michelangelo Pistoletto (2015), Gillo Dorfles (2016), Maurizio Galimberti (2017), Marina Abramović (2018), Olimpia Zagnoli (2019), Lorenzo Mattotti (2020), Ron Arad (2021), Matteo Thun (2022), Judy Chicago (2023), Stefan Sagmeister (2024) and Robert Wilson (2025).

For the 2026 poster, Serse Roma chose to engage with one of the regatta's defining elements: the sea. His interpretation captures the evocative power of water through the expressive medium of graphite, creating a contemplative and immersive image that conveys the ongoing dialogue between light and surface, movement and stillness. The artwork invites viewers to see the sea not only as the setting for the regatta, but also as a place of encounter and belonging.

Born in San Polo di Piave in 1952 and a Trieste resident by adoption, Serse Roma has developed a distinctive and highly recognisable artistic practice, employing an essential yet refined visual language to explore the relationship between light, matter and nature. His works transform bodies of water and landscapes into images of extraordinary intensity, suspended between reality and abstraction. The relationship between Serse Roma and illycaffè dates back to 2005, when the artist created a sea-inspired decoration for the glass designed for illy's cold coffee, drawing inspiration from the waters of Trieste.

"For more than twenty years, illycaffè has supported Barcolana, an event that celebrates the deep bond between Trieste and the sea," said Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè. "For this edition, we chose an artist who has always known and observed that sea. In Serse Roma's work, water is never simply a landscape: it is light, movement, depth and constant transformation. His poster reminds us that the sea is much more than Barcolana's racecourse: it is an essential part of our identity, bringing together people, cultures and stories. Through his unique perspective, the dialogue between art and sailing that has accompanied the event for many years continues, allowing us to reveal a new facet of Barcolana each time."

"With Serse Roma's poster," commented Mitja Gialuz, President of Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, "we return to our most defining element: the sea. It is where Trieste was born and grew, a place that reflects the city's very soul. Every year, on the second Sunday of October, thousands of boats cross its waters, creating a dance that renews a collective ritual unlike any other in the world. The sea is in constant motion, just like Barcolana. It is a metaphor for life, transformation and continuous renewal. Through the essential stroke of graphite, Serse Roma succeeds in capturing its magic with extraordinary sensitivity, giving us a work of great poetic intensity that encourages us to pause, observe and rediscover the deeper meaning of our relationship with the sea. I would like to thank Serse Roma and illycaffè for this contribution, which enriches the story of Barcolana through the language of art."

The 58th edition of Barcolana will take place on Sunday, 11 October, in the Gulf of Trieste, preceded by a rich programme of events on land and at sea that will transform the city into the international capital of sailing.