Emersi - Culture della superficie

"Emersi - Culture della superficie" is a performing arts festival project which aims to act through culture on the complexities and difficulties of those places in Italy, like Gioia del Colle, that are rich in history and art, but which unfortunately have been experiencing a slow depopulation in recent years due to economic factors and a lack of opportunities for young people. The initiative is part of a broader festival project, UFU, which has been selected for the initiative "Colloqui Internazionali di Toscana - The Truth about Economy 2022" promoted by Fondazione Giacomo Feltrinelli, Regione Toscana, and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, as an innovative idea and proposal for sustainable good practice in the cultural sector, for territorial development and socio-economic development. Emersi, aims to create, by defining a participatory artistic and organisational line with the associative realities and activities of the involved territory, a cultural offer that can be meaningful for residents, especially for those aged between 20 and 30.

The Festival kicked off in 2023 with "IN BICI CON LA SCIURA," a captivating site-specific experience led by local artist Angelica Squicciarini. Through an innovative blend of storytelling and cycling, audiences explored the poignant narrative of a Milanese lady grappling with Alzheimer's, as she navigated the streets of Gioia del Colle. "Pangea" took centre stage on September 9th, featuring a series of mesmerising dance performances by acclaimed artists from Italy and beyond. Drawing inspiration from themes of body and land, the event provided a visceral exploration of the community's deep-rooted cultural connections. The programme concluded on a high note with "Qualcuno con cui parlare... qualcuno da poter ascoltare," a musical celebration uniting the community through popular tunes and jazz classics thanks to the renowned pianist Costantino Carrara and the actor and musician Alberto Guidetti. In addition to performances, the programme offered engaging workshops such as "OVER LA CRITICA," facilitating intergenerational dialogue on art and culture, and "PANGEA," providing a safe space for experimental movement exploration led by esteemed artists.

The first edition of Emersi saw the arrival of 15 artists from across the country to Gioia del Colle, the start of a residential workshop and a PCTO project, and the participation of nearly 500 people in total.For the second edition, the aim remains to work on a participatory artistic and organisational line with the associative realities and activities of the involved territory, creating a quality cultural proposal for residents. The focus is ongenerational dialogue, urban space regeneration and enhancement.