La Spezia, the summer festival "Notti al castello" returns with 22 events

Presented yesterday morning in a press conference by the Mayor Pierluigi Peracchini, the director of Cultural Services and Donatella Alessi, curator of the exhibition, the new edition of “Nights at the Castle”, one of the pillars of the La Spezia summer promoted by the Administration that represents the traditional cultural event under the stars at the Museum of the San Giorgio Castle in collaboration with the Ethnographic Museum "Giovanni Podenzana" and with the Urban Library System of La Spezia.

"The “Nights at the Castle” they are confirmed year after year as an unmissable event for the city. - declares Mayor Pierluigi Peracchini - "An exhibition that will certainly win over the public with a program full of events that will accompany us throughout the summer in a location full of charm. Many themes and initiatives are planned for a heterogeneous audience: we will move from local history to concerts; from the presentation of books to conferences, from theatrical readings to the possibility of watching the traditional fireworks show from an exceptional panoramic point. Thanks to the Cultural Services for the precious work they carry out every day.”

Twenty-two appointments are scheduled from July 2nd to August 29th that range from conversations about local history with focus on the neighborhood of Marola, Pitelli and the island of Tino to concerts of various musical genres, from traditional Italian to Balkan songs, from pop music to that of the Eighties, from book presentations at archaeological conferences, humorous costume shows and historical-cultural reflections on women, space for comics which have now in all respects entered the art of narration, conferences in collaboration with the Il Porticciolo Cultural Center, with the Spezzina Historical Society, the Institute of Ligurian Studies and with the Association of Friends of the Naval Museum and History up to the acting and in-depth study of great classical texts of Greek theater and the evening dedicated exclusively to children.

The smallest, indeed, on Saturday 27 July, they will be able to spend a night at the Museum until 23.00 pm, dedicating himself to painting on stone the animals hunted in the Castle park and to the creation of a jewel by smoothing soapstone.

Will come backfinally the panoramic night from the Castle terrace to admire the fireworks on the occasion of the Palio del Golfo.

All events proposed enhance the history of the city and of the whole territory to intercept that renewed interest towards their roots and that desire to be increasingly aware and passionate about the La Spezia identity. Not only that, they are also characterized by wide-ranging insights in line with the mission of the Castello San Giorgio Museum, namely that of promote the history and culture of the past with specific thematic insights and at the same time intercept with that historical baggage the new challenges of contemporaneity, without forgetting the summer lightness characterized by music and entertainment.

Info San Giorgio Castle Museum

Entrance is free while places last. On paid evenings, reservations are taken at the secretariat of the Castello San Giorgio Museum.

phone: 0187751142

Email. sangiorgio.segreteria@comune.sp.it

FB/IG @museocastellosangiorgio

Program

Tuesday 2 July at 21.15pm

Clear sky, dark earth…

Presentation of Riccardo Boggi's book; talks with the author Rossana Piccioli

In collaboration with the “Giovanni Podenzana” Civic Ethnographic Museum

The author accompanies us with this book - which combines nine unpublished stories with the "rediscovered" essay Magic and subordinate classes in Lunigiana – to discover of a peasant world where the magical and the superstitious join popular devotion. The nine stories are dedicated to as many figures of healers, men and women custodians of traditional formulas and rituals handed down orally and capable of counteracting many evils, from St. Anthony's fire, to children's worms, to the inevitable evil eye.

Saturday 6 July 21.15 hours

Another story. Imperfect biographies from Lucy to Barbie

Presentation of Sandra Landi's book

Stories of women, captured by History to tell their story. After an undoubted exclusion or marginalization, they take the floor to tell their stories with precision and irony; although immersed in their historical climate, they do not disdain to underline the contradictions of their and our present. As if they were capable of knowing what they said and wrote about them after them.

The author with literary intentions makes them protagonists, starting from Lucy, the female australopithecus, to Tina Anselmi, touching every era in choosing forgotten characters, such as Gemma Donati, or almost unknown ones such as Marozia, a terrible femme from the beginning of the 10th century.

Closing, The Trial of Eve, a one-act play born from a request from Margherita Hack, which aims to absolve the first woman from the accusation of having caused all the evils of the world with original sin.

Thursday 11 July at 21.15pm

La Spezia culture creates lidentity of the new city 

Conference by Giuseppe Benelli

By Friends of the Naval and History Museum

The gigantic work of the arsenal triggers the birth of a new city. In order to prepare a specialized workforce, which was greatly needed, in the 1970s Don Giovanni Bosco came to La Spezia to establish the Salesian Work there. In the 1980s a technical school was founded and a State high schools, a municipal gymnasium and a technical institute. They are these too the years in which La Spezia began to become a major scientific research centre, with the naval tank, the Balipedio delle Grazie, the San Bartolomeo torpedo factory. Since 1874-75 experiments with petroleum as a fuel for marine engines have been carried out in La Spezia.

In 1897 Guglielmo Marconi carried out his experiments in the Gulf for wave transmission electromagnetic. The work of Ubaldo Mazzini is fundamental for the culture of La Spezia. True creator of the Civic Library, he is the animator of a cultural community that gathers around him. In those years of the late 800th century and the first decades of the 900th century, a develops political-cultural movement for a province that was to include the entire territory of the ancient diocese of Luni. The birth of the Giovanni Capellini Lunigianese Academy of Sciences is linked to this area.

Friday July at 12 21.15

San Vito di Marola: the troubled history of an ancient disappeared church

Conference by Armando Barbuto

In collaboration with the Spezzina Historical Society and the International Institute of Ligurian Studies, Lunense Section

We will retrace the ancient history of the Church of S. Vito di Marola, since its foundation, probably occurred in the Byzantine period, up to the current location, passing through intricate expropriation events during the construction of the Maritime Military Arsenal, for the construction of a new building, which was never a church but, today again, home to the primary school and the post office.

A fascinating story, unknown e full of twists, that, in the passionate narration of Prof. Barbuto, comes to give us evocative and exciting moments of historical everyday life, bringing out oblivion, wonderful pages of the ancient history of our wonderful Gulf and our people.

 Saturday 13 July 21.15 hours

A tear on the griso – remembering Gino Patroni

Edited by Matteo Cremolini and Beppe Mecconi

Gino Patroni, Montemarcello 1920 - La Spezia 1992; extraordinary person, journalist who invented news out of laziness, exceptional inventor of aphorisms that perfectly represent the shrewd, bitter humor of the city, about ten books published, including by Rizzoli and Longanesi.

He probably could have lived a better life if he had been able to stop working permanently Milano, loved as he was by the great intellectuals of his time, but…"I adore Milano, in particular its station: there are the tracks where the trains that take me back to Spezia leave from." Perhaps the memory of Gino is in danger of fading, but he certainly deserves to be remembered.

The show with music by Matteo Cremolini and texts recited by Mecconi it is made up of two parts connected to each other; the first presents two stories relating to wartime.

The second is in turn divided into two sections, a more light-hearted one talks about her personal extraordinary interpretation of the betrothed, la second more melancholy tells of his life, of his love for La Spezia, of his disappearance. A funny and touching show, sarcastic and bitter, just like Patroni was.

Wednesday 17 July 21.15 hours

San Bartolomeo delle Cento Chiavi; to the origins of the village of Pitelli

Conference by Linda Secoli

In San Bartolomeo, was dedicated a post church in the Middle Ages «on the rock at the Marina», fulcrum of one large rural community which also had a hospital and a seaport as well as "li Bagni di Pitelli", sulphurous thermal springs. The ancient coastal settlement of Centum Claves, whose story it is intertwined with that of Pitelli, was gradually abandoned starting from the sixteenth century because it was "unsafe from corsairs".

Secoli's research, based mainly on unpublished archive materials, they give us back the face of the Levant of La Spezia before the military settlements and shipbuilding, allowing, the reading of the landscape from San Cipriano to Muggiano with the original coastline, the villages, the canals.

 Friday July at 19 21.15

Bacter. Metamorphosis of Superheroes

Meeting with David Bacter, born Davide Avogadro, cartoonist, illustrator, dreamlike painter and visionary with an unmistakable style.

Introduced by Giacomo Maucci, moderated by Filippo Conte

On the occasion, in the Castle room, it will be possible to visit the temporary exhibition of original paintings, which take inspiration from the figures of the Flemish paintings of the 500th and 600th centuries and from the photography of the second half of the 800th century.

The meeting is in collaboration with Nuvole a Montereggio, an association that organizes the comics festival of the same name.

Sunday July 21 21.30 hours

The years of “Reviewism”. Semi-serious reading of the reviews that shocked the web

In collaboration with the Urban Library System

An evening in the company of the Facebook page manager “Insulting on TripAdvisor while feeling like a great chef”, which also became a book, Luca Bicci, lawyer from La Spezia, who will present the best and most original reviews brought to the National Humor Festival and discovered on the web in 9 years of activity, which are shared monthly throughout the country by over 10 million online interactions.

We will see how the ironic readings converged to define the key principles of “Manifesto of Reviewism”, all interspersed with the interventions of three local restaurateurs who fight against the network's reviewers on a daily basis.

Tuesday 23 July at 21.15pm

Tricky band 80s and 90s music

With Dejanira Giannarelli, Sonia Caserta voices; Claudio Galazzo, violin; Bianca Bellardinelli, guitar, Massimo Azzarini, bass, Paolo Ruggeri, guitar

Concert of national and international pop rock soul covers that have marked musical history.

Wednesday 24 July 21.15 hours

Urban suffering. Living in times of crisis

Presentation of the book by Daniele Menichini and Benedetta Medas

The author will be present Daniele Menichini, introduces Ludovica Marinaro

In collaboration with the Urban Library System

The theme of living is central in the conception of private and public space, especially in times of crisis. An openness is needed that stimulates the search for creative solutions.

The goal is to leave behind the old paradigms of architecture, for this reason Urban suffering aims to highlight not only the weaknesses of contemporary urban constructions, but intends to highlight their strengths and possibilities for transformation in critical contexts with a transdisciplinary approach.

In this sense, there is no intention of giving answers, but, on the contrary, ask questions to explore new opportunities for inhabiting the public and private spaces of our cities and our architecture.

Thursday July at 25 21.15

Tino Island. Island of surprising beauty

Book presentation organized by Friends of Tino Island Associations.

Speakers Elisabetta Cesari and Giorgio Lazio

In collaboration with the Urban Library System

The book, the result of a joint work of the Friends of the Isola del Tino voluntary organisation  and a wide network of scholars, sector specialists and passionate reporters aims to tell the story of the island, its secrets, its characteristics by analyzing various aspects.

The island, currently under the responsibilities of the Navy is always It was a border place of the known lands where it is not possible to land but that has always been a point of reference for sailors and a dream for those who observe, during the night, its hypnotic lighthouse.

Friday July at 26 21.15

The Path of Isis. The Cult of Isis between Ptolemaic Egypt and Imperial Rome

Presentation of Giacomo Cavillier's book

The Egyptologist Cavillier wonders why the cult of Isis had a diffusion and proselytism in the Hellenistic and Roman imperial culture so large compared to other Egyptian deities, the reason it must be sought in the protective function of the family and of the royalty of the goddess with her powerful magical arts, but even more important is her ability to dialogue with the faithful with the spoken and written words. Magic, rituals and cultural aspects will be treated providing an overall vision capable of projecting into a millennial scenario in which cult and syncretism merge.

 Saturday 27 July from 21pm to 23pm

A night at the museum. Become a prehistoric artist

With Marco Greco and Roberto Giannotti the castle park is the natural setting where children will dedicate themselves to stone painting of hunted animals and will create a jewel by smoothing soapstone.

Children aged 6 to 11 years. By reservation only

Cost: €5 per child

Sunday 4 August From 21.00 pm

Fireworks Night

Extraordinary opening on the occasion of the fireworks display of the Palio del Golfo.

The entrance it is possible at a cost of €5,00 for adults, € 2,00 for children aged 6-12 years e free for children 0-6 years.

Starting from 21pm you can enter to visit the Archaeological Museum and then enjoy the fireworks display from the panoramic terraces, comfortably seated. Booking required.

Thursday August at 8 21.15

Lights and shadows on the world of work between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Conference by Rina Gambini, organized by the Il Porticciolo Cultural Center

In collaboration with the “Giovanni Podenzana” Civic Ethnographic Museum

The period between the last decades of the nineteenth century and the First World War was full of great transformations and enthusiasm. It was no coincidence that he came named Belle Epoque because characterized from novelties in the way of life, from entertainment and waste of money, by wealthy and munificent men, by women who exploited their beauty for a comfortable life, but also by inventors, daring and innovative writers.

The splendor of those years hid a society dominated by strong class differences, bitter conflicts in the distribution of wealth, by social imbalances and violent political struggles. In this context the world of work was slowly evolving, but at the cost of many sacrifices.

Saturday 10 August 21.15 hours

Wild Dream

Reading Theatrical

With Enjoythescience.eu

From decline of the sacred feminine to the surviving legacy of medicinal herbs From the Cult of the Mother Goddess to the Birth of the Witch: a journey into story of women linked to Nature and transformed by society into lovers of the dark. Their legacy still lives in healing herbs, in a wild freedom, in a dream that still burns. a theatrical reading, performed by an actress and a science communicator who aims to revisit the centuries-old history of a profound bond: the one between Nature and Woman. A centuries-long history, which has progressively been desacralized and demonized, transforming the sacred feminine into the invention of the figures of the befana and the witch.

Enjoythescience.eu is a scientific storytelling duo composed of Francesco Adami and Cristina Clemente. Francesco Adami is a researcher and scientific communicator. With a solid academic background in the field of medicine, he developed a passion for dissemination that pushed him to convey this information in a clear and engaging way. Cristina Clemente, on the other hand, is a charming amateur actress and street artist.

Sunday 11 August 21.15 hours

Balkan trip- between East and West

XXX Provincial Festival “The Places of Music” 2024

Concert created with the contribution of the Carispezia Foundation as part of the call “Plural and sustainable culture” e Liguria region

curated by the Musical Association “Il Pianoforte” and the Concert Society of La Spezia

K Quartet Stefano Martini violin, Matteo Salerno flute, Egidio Collini guitar,  Fabio Gaddoni double bass

Music from traditional Russian, Hungarian, Roma, Klezmer songs and from films di E. Kusturica, Y. Robert, E. Lotjanu

The program it is a sort of musical journey through Eastern Europe in which gypsy music, Hungarian music and klezmer music find space. A choice inspired by freedom of the peoples who inhabit these lands and who, despite the thousand difficulties, have been able to generate a repertoire that has fascinated the greatest composers since ancient times. A music that fits in with the gypsy tradition, and which is made of virtuosity, liveliness, joy and melancholy. Violin, guitar, flute and double bass will compete in songs with extreme speeds alternating with intense moments full of pathos capable of expressing the troubled existence of a border people.

In case of rain the concert will be held in Sala Dante.

Entrance fee subject to availability – €7 (reduced €5)

Booking for the concert: reservationldm@gmail.com or 3792779796 (also text and/or whatsapp).

Tuesday 13 August at 21.30pm

Orestea

Freely taken from Aeschylus, in the translation by Angelo Tonelli

Arthena Cultural Association, Initiatory Theater Company, Directed by Angelo Tonelli

With Kinga Bende, Chiara Cellini, Solange Passalacqua, Davide Ramoretti, Angelo Tonelli

Directed by D

Choreography: Annalisa Maggiani

Melodies and songs in ancient Greek: Phoskaiskià

Masks and sets: Amal Fasairy and Antonietta Grassi

Costumi: Atelier Arthena

Music: Arthuan Rebis, Gabriele Gasparotti, Alio Die and others.

Aeschylus' Oresteia is one of the masterpieces of Greek tragedy. It was one trilogy made up of three dramas: Agamemnon, Coephores, Eumenides.

The first tragedy narrates the murder of Agamemnon plotted by his wife Clytemestra to avenge the sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia, carried out by Agamemnon himself to appease Artemis' hostility and set off to conquer Troy with favorable winds.

Le Coefore and the second tragedy of the Oresteia. Tell how Orestes, son of Agamemnon, returned ten years after the murder of Agamemnon from exile, on the orders of the god Apollo avenge his father by killing Aegisthus , own mother Clytemnestra.

The third tragedy of the trilogy takes its title from Eumenides, the name given to the Erinyes, goddesses who embody justice, when at the end of the tragedy they transform into protective deities of the city.

In this third part ofOrestea the persecution of the Erinyes against Orestes is narrated, which culminates in the celebration of a trial at the Areopagus court. This judgment, who sees the Erinyes themselves as accusers, Apollo as defender and Athena presiding over the jury, ends with the acquittal of Orestes, thanks to Athena's favorable vote.

Saturday 17 August 21.30 hours

Fantasy. Eduardo's poems in music

Patrizia Cirulli vocals and Marcello Peghin guitar

curated by the Concert Society of La Spezia

The Duo, classified third at the prestigious Tenco Awardoffers a musical rereading of the poems of the great Eduardo De Filippo, with the evocative voice of Patrizia Cirulli accompanied by the talented multi-instrumentalist Marcello Peghin.

Entrance fee subject to availability – €7 (reduced €5)

Booking for the concert: reservationldm@gmail.com or 3792779796 (also sms and/or whatsapp).

Thursday August at 22 21.15

In the Gulf between sea and sky. The seaplanes in Cadimare

Conference by Egidio di Spigna, curated by the Il Porticciolo Cultural Center

In collaboration with the “Giovanni Podenzana” Civic Ethnographic Museum

The history of seaplanes and Cadimare airport immense It must be forgotten because it does not belong only to the Gulf of La Spezia, but to the whole world.

In fact, this site is testimony to great heroic deeds, of commitment and technical innovation, such as to make a notable contribution to the development of aeronautics. A fascinating story full of human and scientific notes.

August 26 21.15 hours

Mentalism show

For the Italian Red Cross Committee of La Spezia

Matteo Borrini he is a professor of Forensic Anthropology at Liverpool John Moores University and award-winning scientific communicator of national and international fame. For the occasion, Professor Borrini will abandon his academic robe to take on the role of the illusionist; he is in fact also a magician, member of the Mahatma Liverpool Magic Circle and of The Magic Circle, the most prestigious magic club in the world, to which His Royal Highness Charles III of England also belongs.

Mentalist and illusionist, embodies the figure of the Victorian era magician, mixing science, mystery and magic in a vortex of pure amazement. A dynamic show that mixes illusionism and mentalism ensuring the involvement of the entire audience.

The proposed experiments they will show how it is possible to read the history of their owners in objects, such as mind can travel through time and space, between memories and distant places. The artist will play elegantly and politely with the minds of the bystanders, to the point of placing himself in the balance between bold choices that could have unexpected outcomes.

Admission € 15. Booking required.

August 29 21.15 hours

Barbary raids in Liguria in the 1500s

Conference of Marco Biagioni

Eliana Vecchi introduces and coordinates

In collaboration with the Spezzina Historical Society and the Institute of Ligurian Studies

With his story, Prof. Biagioni, will accompany us in the tumultuous and fierce activity of the Barbary corsairs, who, coming from the potentates of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, they infested our seas, XNUMX very frequent attacks, mostly during the 16th century, to the communities located on the coasts of our country, forced to live in a permanent state of alert.

He will tell us about the exploits of the most famous corsairs, as well as of the their strategies and their violent and terrifying predatory activity, the cause of endless deaths, destruction, slavery of the people affected. He will lead us, finally, in furious melee of the naval battle of Lepanto, where the overwhelming victory of the Western and Christian world, arrested their supremacy in the Mediterranean basin, marking, inexorably, the beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire.