A long calendar of events, music, theatre, exhibitions, meetings with authors and traditions that will accompany citizens, visitors and tourists over the next eleven months. More than 20 strategic events promoted in 2023 by the Tourism and Culture Departments of the City of Monopoli were presented on Sunday 12 February 2023 in the exhibition space of the Puglia Region and Puglia Promozione at the BIT (International Tourism Exchange) in Milan.
Alongside appointments that have long been characterized the city’s tourist-cultural offer such as the Concert Season of the “Amici della Musica”, Sudestival, the Portraits Festival or the “Il Gozzo” City of Monopoli Award, there are those that recall the ancient traditions such as the Night of the Bonfires on the occasion of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph) on 19 March, or Gozzovigliando. Then, appointments that have gained prominence over the years: the widespread PhEST exhibition, the Lumos summer welcome party, the Costa dei Trulli travelling Festival, the review with authors at the port during Prospero Fest, the festival dedicated to children Maggio all’Infanzia and after last year’s success, the Spring Lights videomapping Festival, the three days dedicated to the ukulele Monopolele, the evocative musical journey of Porto Rubino and the Bari in Jazz Metropolitan Festival. Without forgetting some new features such as the exhibition by photographer Oliviero Toscani, the review dedicated to women Vox-Fem Italy and two concerts that reinforce the season already underway at the Radar Theatre.
«Once again this year during Bit in Milano we have presented the calendar of events that extends throughout the year well in advance. A job that has seen the Departments of Culture and Tourism work in synergy in order to draw up a calendar that embraces different genres. Arriving in Milan, at the beginning of February, with a certain schedule and with events already identified was not a simple matter and therefore I want to thank all those who have collaborated», said the Mayor of Monopoli, Angelo Annese.
«For 2023 calendar we have confirmed all the events of last year thanks to their ability to attract so many visitors. This allows us to seasonally adjust the tourist offer and at the same time to start promoting them well in advance in order to reach the largest number of potential visitors. Events that I’m sure will surprise us even more this year in terms of attractiveness», underlines the Councilor for Tourism Cristian Iaia.
«We have put together a series of appointments that will entertain us and make us reflect at the same time, confirming most of the scheduled events and further enriching the calendar with novelties, from Tosca and Ron concerts to the exhibition of a photography genius like Oliviero Toscani. Appointments that will enliven our city as early as spring and continue throughout the summer and beyond», underlines the Councilor for Culture Rosanna Perricci.
SUDESTIVAL – From 27 January to 17 March 2023 Sudestival, a project by the Cultural Association Sguardi, founded and directed by Michele Suma. It is the first and only Italian film festival in Puglia that takes place in winter, which has become the reference point for first and second films of national quality production. 35 days of festival, 60 screenings, 6 sections, 12 awards, over 40 guests and the first Italian retrospective exhibition dedicated to Mattia Torre. Inaugurated by Kim Rossi Stuart with godmother Bianca Nappi.
AMICI DELLA MUSICA (FRIENDS OF MUSIC) – The musical event organized by the Association “AMICI DELLA MUSICA”, is already in course, now in its 43rd edition. Upcoming appointments with the trio Raffaello (February 23 at Mariella Theatre), Il Paese dei Campanelli (March 8 at the Radar Theatre), Tony Esposito 5set (March 23 at the Radar Theatre) and Peppe Servillo tribute to Lucio Dalla (April 12 at the Radar Theatre).
LA NOTTE DEI FALO’ (BONFIRE NIGHT) – Consolidated tradition, during the Feast of St. Joseph which occurs on March 19, is an event that unites the whole of Puglia with the lighting of numerous devotional bonfires, memory of ancient customs and traditions relived today by communities in an atmosphere of celebration and joy. Together with the bonfires, musical and cultural events enliven the historical city centre.
RADAR THEATRE CONCERTS – Tosca and Ron will be the protagonists of two spring concerts at the Radar Theatre promoted by the Putignano Cultural Association “Il Tassello Mancante” in collaboration with the Culture Department of the Municipality of Monopoli. Tosca with “Sto core mio. Notturno napoletano for Roberto Murolo” will perform on Thursday 30 March 2023 at 9pm with a tribute by Tosca to the great maestro, dedicated to Naples and Neapolitan music. A spectacle of sounds and words, with some rare pearls to be discovered. Ron with his theatrical tour “Sono un figlio Live Tour” will perform on Saturday 6 May 2023 at 9pm. The tour takes its name from the new unreleased album and which, after the warm welcome given by critics and the public, the artist will present live. Ron has chosen the theatrical dimension to highlight the new songs and the quality of a repertoire of Italian singer-songwriter music like few others.
VOX-FEM ITALY – Entitled ” Sulle tracce della voce delle donne,” this is a series of events organized in four encounters dedicated to women’s voices in the Mediterranean. The feature of the concerts is to offer original musical repertoires sung in various languages of the Mediterranean basin, with the use of traditional musical instruments. Each encounter will be preceded by a brief presentation of the artist’s geographical area of origin and the repertoire performed.
OLIVIERO TOSCANI ART EXHIBITION – At Carlo V Castle from April to August 2023, curated by Nicolas Ballario with coordination by Lorenzo Madaro, tells the long history of Olivieri Toscani’s photography by entering into the photographer’s mind, in an endless stream of a man who changed the history of photography.
AIR RAID SHELTERS – The air raid shelters in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele will be periodically opened for guided tours throughout the year hosting artwork that will add to the permanent exhibition on the history of the shelters.
SPRING LIGHTS FESTIVAL
– After the extraordinary success of 2022, between April and May 2023 the Spring Lights Festival returns, a narrative and decorative videomapping project under the artistic direction of Antonio Minelli. A sequence of images, animations and sounds projected on the wall of Corso Pintor Mameli and the Portavecchia.
PROSPERO FEST – From May 14 to May 19 2023 Prospero Fest appointment, the sixth edition of the festival dedicated to meetings with authors, theatre performances and workshops in Rendella Library.
MONOPOLELE – The Mediterranean Ukulele Fest is scheduled for May 19-21, 2023 in the historical city center. Held for the first time in 2022 in Monopoli, it was a pleasant discovery. Hundreds of people gathered around the ukulele instrument, among those who discovered it for the first time and those who were already experts, pleasantly and cheerfully participated in all the scheduled events. In the historical center of Monopoli prestigious names of the European scene (authentic masterful musicians, recognized and appreciated by the international community) will give life to the concerts and “workshops.” Finally thematic workshops for adults and children will enable enthusiasts to learn new techniques directly from the musicians invited to play in the evening.
MAGGIO ALL’INFANZIA – The 26th edition of the MAGGIO ALL’INFANZIA Festival, dedicated to new productions of Ragazzi Theater, will be held May 24-28 between Bari and Monopoli. A rich program that includes shows with national and regional debuts designed for girls and boys.
ORA! FEST- INTERNATIONAL CINEMA FESTIVAL IN PUGLIA – The first green film festival in Italy, which can count on the presence of world-renowned actors, screenwriters and producers and which, in addition to raising awareness, after the 2022 Ostuni edition lands in Monopoli. For the occasion, in agreement with the local authorities, a public area will be identified for redevelopment to create a garden to serve the community. During the week of June 4-9, 2023, international previews and premieres will be presented during the festival in the presence of international guests and film stars who have already won Oscars.
LUMOS – To open the summer, the “Lumos-Summer Lights” return, with music, art and various events on the Porta Vecchia waterfront and in the Old Town,.
RITRATTI FESTIVAL – Music that builds bridges, invites reflection and opens windows to the world with an inquisitive gaze of a curious explorer and the refined style of those who elaborate cultural relations beyond any barrier, including through novel and far-reaching projects. Characteristic signs of the Monopoli Ritratti Festival directed for the Musicale Euterpe Association by Massimo Felici and Antonia Valente, who in the name of kindness and beauty articulate the 19th edition along the boundaries of very different sound experiences. Appointments throughout the summer.
LAMATEATRO FESTIVAL – Making theatre immersed in nature. That’s what happens in Lama Belvedere where, after last year’s extraordinary success, the appointment with the “Lama Teatro Festival” by the “Allegra Brigata” Theater Association returns in the middle of summer.
PORTO RUBINO – On Wednesday, July 5 2023, the city’s old harbor will host the fifth edition of “Porto Rubino,” a celebrated festival of the seas, an evocative journey by Apulian singer-songwriter Renzo Rubino among the coasts of Puglia. An exceptional cast and as many surprise super guests for the grand musical event that celebrates the sea to be protected, an inspiration for artists, a unique meeting place and enrichment.
BARI IN JAZZ METROPOLITAN FESTIVAL – Organized in the metropolitan area for many years, it promotes important music events, meetings, exhibitions and exclusive productions, Italian artists and international guests, concerts and initiatives based on great improvised music, Afro-American and European, an original experience of quality jazz with the thousand languages of jazz, proposed in the most disparate sites with a dense and heterogeneous musical offering. The festival, therefore, is characterized by being structured in several concerts that spread from Bari to the entire territory of the Metropolitan City, the Province of Brindisi and the Province of Lecce
COSTA DEI TRULLI FESTIVAL – Between July and August sees the return of the review of musical events and entertainment that for years has been organized in the City of Monopoli and neighboring municipalities.
While waiting to know the name of the singers who will animate the 2023 edition, Angelo Duro’s show entitled “Sono cambiato!” has already been confirmed.
“IL GOZZO” AWARD CITY OF MONOPOLI – An evening to discover, learn about and appreciate Puglia’s excellence. “Il Gozzo” Award has been happening every summer for 18 years in Monopoli, the event that rewards talent and professionalism that allow the region to distinguish itself in different fields. Six awards are given, six stories in an evening of great entertainment enriched by moments of music and amusement. Appointment on Friday July 14 2023.
PhEST – As per tradition from late summer and for two months there is the International Festival of Photography and Art. A journey through space and time among the many transformations of the world through the works of the great masters of photography, visual arts and young talents on display with their works.
GOZZOVIGLIANDO – Every Sunday in October the annual event celebrates the gozzo, a typical wooden boat used by local fishermen, as a symbol of coastal tradition. Markets of handicrafts and typical gastronomic products, recreational-educational workshops for children, guided tours in the historic centre, art exhibitions, themed performances and musical entertainment with traditional folk songs and dances. Last but not least, free gozzo excursions and the seventh edition of the Palio dei gozzi, an exhibition aboard the historic boats of the local navy with the involvement of flag-wavers are not to be missed.
PROSPERO YOUNG – Second edition of “Prospero Young” (sixth edition of the fall version of “Prospero Fest”) celebrating the anniversary of the Rendella Library’s rebirth (2017): from November 10 to 12, there will be appointments with young volunteers who will dialogue with the authors.