Scrittorincittà: Where Literature Meets Performance
Ah, the rolling hills of Cuneo—the Italian landscape, where even the sheep probably debate Kafka’s existential musings. Get ready, culture vultures, because from November 14th to 17th, the Scrittorincittà programme is rolling out literary brilliance like pasta in a gourmet kitchen. Let’s dig into the smorgasbord of events that will have you pondering the meaning of life, or at least the meaning of your last takeaway.
Thursday 14 November: A Kafkaesque Trial
It all kicks off at 7 pm at the San Sebastiano Diocesan Museum with the Teatro Monolite collective presenting “Dear Friend, I Kill You” based on the writings of Moth. One hundred years after Franz Kafka’s death, there’s a dramatic twist: his characters are staging an intervention to hold him on trial. Are they giving him a standing ovation or a boot out the door into the abyss? The suspense is palpable; who knew that the afterlife could be such a dreadful place?
Friday 15 November: Kafka and Hollywood Collide
The fun continues with a double feature. At 6 pm in the concert hall of the Conservatory, writer Saverio Simonelli will unpack Kafka’s legacy. Expect tantalizing readings from The Castle to the sweet, sweet sounds of original electronic soundscapes. One can only hope it leads to an existential crisis that pairs well with a nice Chianti.
Then at 9:15 pm at Toselli, we’ve got Hollywood glamor as voice actress Joy Saltarelli (who voices anyone who’s ever won a hairstyle contest) joins forces with the likes of Alex Polidori and Manuel Meli. Spoiler alert: they’ll dish juicy stories and likely have more charisma in their little fingers than I’ll have in my entire career.
Saturday 16 November: Music & Dialogue
Saturday is a buffet of cultural delights! At 4 pm, the Ghedini concert hall hosts “Hay que caminar, soñando.” Yes, it’s a fancy title, but what a treat! Expect a collision of Rossini’s charm with the enigmatic sounds of Isang Yun among others. If you’ve ever wanted to feel the delicate balance of lightness and philosophy in one concert, this is it!
Then at 4:30 pm, get cozy with a couple of chart-toppers as journalist Mario Calabresi and singer-songwriter Matteo Romano engage in a melodic tête-à-tête. Following that, don’t miss the piano interlude by Margherita Torretta at 5:30 pm. Why? Because nothing completes a day quite like some piano notes mingling with literary insights!
Sunday 17 November: Reflecting on Transformation
Now here’s where things get interesting—Sunday is a day of metamorphosis! Starting bright and early at 11:30 am, experience “In the Mirror,” a musical dialogue between the talented violins of Sara Mazzarotto and Elide Sulsenti. Are we all reflections of one another, or is that just a familiar excuse for the awful group selfies we keep posting?
At 3 pm, the students of the “Duilio Del Prete” Company will be performing readings from Kafka’s The Metamorphosis in the heart of the Cuneo center. This is accompanied by electroacoustic music, which sounds fancy and perhaps will transform the gray street corners into something magical.
But wait—at the Open Baladin, folk music from Eugenio Cesaro mixed with climate discussions promised by Andrea Vico. Because who doesn’t love to talk about the planet while sipping artisanal beer? It’s an event that sounds like a ‘cheers to a greener future’ moment.
The Grand Finale: Light Up the Night
As the sun sets, the festival closes beautifully with “Scintille luminous” at the Toselli Theater at 9:15 pm. With the whimsical guidance of Gek Tessaro, expect a celestial journey that is far more enlightening than your last trip to the optometrist.
Get Your Tickets!
So, whether you’re a die-hard Kafka enthusiast or just someone looking for a weekend away from Netflix binging, Scrittorincittà has everything you need—and more! Grab your tickets at www.scriverincitta.it and prepare for an experience that’s bound to make you laugh, think, and feel a whole lot more than just claustrophobia in a crowded theatre!
Let’s face it; life is Kafkaesque enough as is. Why not embrace a weekend that pushes you deeper into the literary rabbit hole while being simultaneously entertained? See you at the fest!
Wedge – (gga). As part of the esteemed Scrittorincittà programme, a variety of captivating shows are scheduled for this weekend.
Thursday 14 November at 7pm at the historic San Sebastiano Diocesan Museum, the acclaimed Teatro Monolite collective will present the thought-provoking performance “Dear friend I kill you,” featuring the powerful writing of Moth. In a unique exploration of literary legacy, one hundred years post-Kafka’s death, his iconic characters find themselves convened in a council to put him on trial. The stakes are astronomical: will they uphold his literary immortality, or sentence him to an everlasting obscurity? This intimate theatrical show poignantly reveals the duality of greatness and despair in Franz Kafka’s life, through the poignant perspectives of his characters and his close associate, Max Brod, who served as both friend and biographer.
A thrilling double event awaits on Friday 15 November. The day begins at 6pm in the concert hall of the Conservatory, where renowned writer Saverio Simonelli will discuss the profound impact of Franz Kafka’s life and work. This engaging session will include dramatic readings from Kafka’s enigmatic novel “The Castle,” beautifully paired with original electronic soundscapes crafted by actress Claudia Ferrari and composer Gianluca Verlingieri, enhancing the narrative’s surreal essence. Later in the evening, at 9.15pm at the Toselli Theatre, guests can immerse themselves in “Volevo fare del cinema,” a dazzling event celebrating Hollywood luminaries. Celebrated voice actress Joy Saltarelli, known for her work voicing stars like Ana de Armas and Jennifer Lawrence, will converse with illustrious actors Alex Polidori and Manuel Meli, both of whom lend their voices to emerging film talents. This lively gathering promises unexpected surprises, guided by writer and director Manlio Castagna narrating cinematic tales, while the musical ensemble Lucky Fella provides an energetic soundtrack filled with melodies from beloved films.
Saturday 16 November promises a rich tapestry of performances, starting at 4pm in the Ghedini concert hall with “Hay que caminar, soñando,” a concert that brilliantly marries the enchanting melodies of Gioacchino Rossini’s Sonatas a Quattro with contemporary compositions by Korean maestro Isang Yun. This performance features Luigi Nono’s composition for two violins, embodying serene beauty, alongside breathtaking solo violin pieces from Sicilian virtuoso Salvatore Sciarrino and Genoese legend Niccolò Paganini. The Padua-based Taverna Maderna collective is set to premiere a groundbreaking piece that fuses baroque influences with innovative sounds. At 4.30pm, the bustling Toselli Theatre will host a captivating dialogue between journalist and author Mario Calabresi and singer-songwriter Matteo Romano, blending spoken word and music in a quest to rediscover personal aspirations—Romano will conclude with four songs from his latest EP. At 5.30pm in the Conservatory’s concert hall, pianist Margherita Torretta will unveil Rimmel (Pendragon), her intimate autobiographical work co-created with Anna Codega. The authors will engage in conversation with composer Gianluca Verlingieri, sharing excerpts from the book interspersed with soulful piano interludes.
Sunday 17 November will feature a diverse array of artistic expressions beginning at 11.30am in the Rondò del Talenti with “In the Mirror,” an innovative performance that weaves words and music from the Baroque to contemporary times. Talented young artists, including Venetian violinist Sara Mazzarotto and Sardinian cellist Elide Sulsenti, will engage in a continuous dialogue with the audience, ensuring that, echoing Luigi Nono’s vision, the artistic encounter transcends an evocative musical journey. At 3pm at Space Families in Circle, a theatrical interpretation titled “Metamorphosis in the Neighborhood” will present readings from Kafka’s iconic “Metamorphosis” performed by students from the “Duilio Del Prete” Company of the Giovanni Toselli Theater Academy of Cuneo, staged in vacant storefronts and spaces around Cuneo, accompanied by electroacoustic soundscapes crafted by students of Mets-Conservatorio di Cuneo (with a repeat performance scheduled at 5pm). Concurrently at 3pm at Open Baladin, the engaging show “Letter to the neighbor” will combine folk and indie-pop music by Eugenio Cesaro from Eugenio in Via di Gioia with thoughtful commentary by science journalist Andrea Vico, exploring the pressing themes of climate change and potential solutions. The day’s events continue at 5.30pm, returning to Baladin for the stirring production “Tracce di Resistenza,” which traces the historic footprints of Resistance in the Cuneo area— melding music and testimonials to transport listeners through 20th-century history marked by conflict and resilience, underscoring the ongoing pursuit of justice and freedom. This performance features music from the Eirene Ensemble and literary excerpts presented by Miriam Rubeis, originating from influential figures such as Maria Luisa Alessi and Nuto Revelli.
The expansive series of events culminates at 9.15pm at Toselli with “Scintille luminous,” an enchanting theater performance crafted by Gek Tessaro that invites audiences on a celestial journey, directed by the talented Lella Marazzini, thoughtfully dedicated to Emma Meineri and Giovanna Ferro.
For more information and to secure tickets, please visit: www.scriverincitta.it.
What transformative experiences can the audience expect from the performances at Scrittorincittà?
And the audience share a transformative experience.
At **3 pm**, the “Duilio Del Prete” Company’s students will present readings from Kafka’s renowned work, **The Metamorphosis**, infusing these iconic texts with the vibrancy of electroacoustic music, promising an engaging and insightful performance that will elevate the narrative from page to performance. Following this, at the Open Baladin, join in for an invigorating blend of folk music from **Eugenio Cesaro** paired with thought-provoking discussions on climate change led by **Andrea Vico**. It’s an event perfectly designed for those passionate about both the environment and celebrating our cultural heritage over a pint.
As the weekend culminates, don’t miss the grand finale *“Scintille luminous”* at the **Toselli Theater** at **9:15 pm**. Guided by the whimsical **Gek Tessaro**, this closing event promises an enchanting exploration of light and sound, guaranteeing an immersive experience more enlightening than your last optometrist visit.
Prepare for a weekend rich in literary exploration, cultural dialogue, and artistic expression! Whether you’re a loyal follower of Kafka or simply looking for an enriching experience away from your usual routine, **Scrittorincittà** offers a full schedule designed to inspire, challenge, and entertain.
**Get your tickets now!** Dive into Kafkaesque adventures and the myriad of cultural wonders awaiting you! Visit [www.scriverincitta.it](http://www.scriverincitta.it) and join us for an unforgettable celebration of literature and the arts. See you there—let’s make some dazzling memories wrapped in stories and songs!
