In the heart of the Mediterranean — where light is memory, story, and vision — marionanni brings his art and his research to Lecce through two special events, scheduled for July 4 at Teatro Paisiello, Via Palmieri 83, and July 5 at the Conference Hall of the Rectorate, University of Salento, Piazza Tancredi 7. Both will begin at 7:00 p.m. .
Artist, designer, and poet of light, marionanni is the founder and director of marionannischolé, a school-laboratory that intertwines technique, art, and culture in an educational experience open to all. It is inspired by the Greek concept of scholè — not simply a place of study, but a sacred time dedicated to contemplation, deep reflection, and inner exploration, far removed from the frenetic pace of daily life.
For over fifty years, Nanni has explored the narrative and spiritual value of light within landscapes and architecture, transforming it into a language capable of expressing emotions, identities, and the mystery of existence itself.
These two events are key highlights of the “
Harmonies of the Mediterranean” Festival, promoted by the
Municipality of Lecce with the scientific and organizational support of the
Agenzia per il Patrimonio Culturale Euoediterraneo. The festival, running
from July 4 to 20, 2025, is part of Lecce’s official summer program of events and transforms the city into a crossroads of arts, knowledge, and cultures — reaffirming its Mediterranean identity as a place of dialogue and coexistence.
The
first event, on
July 5, at
Teatro Paisiello, will officially open the two-day program dedicated to marionanni and the marionannischolé. Entitled writingthelightofthemediterranean, it will feature prominent guests in a dialogue that transcends geographical boundaries — a valuable opportunity to understand how light can become language, narrative, and a shared cultural tool.
The
second event,
luceallopera (
lightinpractice), will take place on
July 5, again at
7:00 p.m., at the
Conference Hall of the Rectorate, University of Salento. This will be a true Lectio Magistralis on “the profession of the future”: becoming writers of light. The talk will explore the path that merges creativity with technical competence, offering insights into the symbolic and practical power of light to narrate both the Mediterranean and our present age.
Notable figures will also take part, including:
The
Rector of the University of Salento, Professor Fabio Pollice, who will speak not only as the host, but as an authoritative voice and guide of the region’s leading educational institution.
The
Mayor of Lecce, Senator Adriana Poli Bortone, whose contribution will reinforce the importance of intergenerational, interinstitutional, and intercultural dialogue.
This second moment of encounter and dialogue with marionanni is u
nder the patronage of the University of Salento and guided by a vision of light as an educational, connective, and inspirational force. The
marionannischolé embodies this vision: an innovative pedagogical project that combines education, art, and research, open to collaboration with universities, research centers, and cultural institutions at an international level.
marionanni’s work does not merely illuminate spaces — it creates a deep dialogue with shadows, weaving images and symbols into what he calls “poems of light.” With his ability to blend art and technology into a vibrant narrative, he has collaborated with internationally renowned designers, redefining the visual language of light. At the same time, he is a "Maestro", in the truest sense of the word he devotes great attention to education and training, promoting a learning journey that fuses theory and practice. Learning to “write light” means engaging in an active experience of creation — where understanding the technical and cultural value of light translates into tangible work, shaping and telling luminous stories that transform both spaces and perceptions.
The two-day encounter with
marionanni, is the opening event of the Festival Harmonies of the Mediterranean, is confirmed as a unique cultural event — not only a moment of dialogue between artistic and cultural experiences, but also the construction of a true community of vision and purpose. A community founded on the enhancement of intangible heritage and the promotion of the Mediterranean as a space of connection, listening, and cooperation.
It is precisely this harmony that makes
marionanni and his
marionannischolé a guiding star of excellence within the festival — where knowledge and practice, light and reflection merge to illuminate new creative and cultural paths in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Lecce, with the beauty of its heritage and the strength of its culture, has once again proven itself a fertile ground for shared reflection, the stimulation of new horizons of meaning, and the reinforcement of bonds between diverse cultures. A commitment that marionanni, the Municipality of Lecce, and the Agenzia per il Patrimonio Culturale Euromediterraneo intend to carry forward — with the belief that culture is a strategic resource for building a more open, aware, and compassionate future.
For more information:
www.agenziaeuromed.it |www.comune.lecce.it |info@agenziaeuromed.it | Facebook | Instagram
