On February 20th and 21st, the Municipality of Fasano will host a workshop and a B2B event featuring professionals from the fields of theater, dance, and music from Italy, Albania, and Montenegro, thanks to Interreg HERALD funded project (Hermes Encourages and Reshapes the Arts Longevity and Development).

Led by the Municipality of Fasano, HERALD aims to foster cross-border cooperation in the performing arts between Italy, Albania, and Montenegro, creating a vibrant community of professionals dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable cultural projects.

Building on the success of the HERMES project, which was funded under the Interreg Greece-Italy 2014-2020 Programme, HERALD offers a variety of initiatives, including workshops, seminars, conferences, and B2B meetings. These activities are designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills among cultural operators from the three participating countries.

During the workshop, participants will collaborate on the creation of new artistic productions, taking into account local market characteristics and cultural influences unique to each country. Meanwhile, the B2B event, modeled after international art fairs, will provide an opportunity for artists to present their works to managers of theaters and cultural institutions interested in purchasing or distributing them.

A Journey Through Music and Tradition

On Thursday, February 20th, the music workshop titled "Music as a Bridge Between Peoples: Rediscovering Our Roots, Sounds, and Identities" will take place at Teatro Sociale from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Following institutional greetings, experts M° Agron Xoxa, M° Didi Tartari, and M° Silvestro Sabatelli will be interviewed by the editorial staff of Inchiostro Vivo from I.I.S.S. "L. da Vinci" of Fasano.

From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the workshop will take on an itinerant format, offering participants a cultural journey through Fasano’s heritage:

• Museo Casa alla Fasanese – Guided tour and performance of traditional lullabies.
• Palazzo Pezzolla – Exploration and study of traditional musical instruments.
• Piazza Mercato – "The Rites of Holy Week: Faith and Folklore," featuring performances of The Mysteries, Canto all’Uovo, and Song of Lazarus.
• Church of Santa Maria – Historical insights into the Turks-Fasanese Battle and the Albanian Dictatorship, alongside performances of folk songs dedicated to Our Lady.
• Portici delle Teresiane – Reenactments of scenes from everyday life and ancient crafts, with performances of traditional work songs.
• Chiostro dei Minori Osservanti – The final stop, featuring a guided tour and performances of serenades, folk dances, and songs of good wishes.

B2B Event and Theatrical Showcase

On Friday, February 21st, the B2B event will provide a platform for the presentation of artistic productions to theater and cultural industry professionals.

From 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, activities will take place at the Community Library "Ignazio Ciaia." After the opening remarks and partner greetings, new productions will be introduced to managers of theaters and cultural centers interested in acquisition and distribution. Apulian cultural operators will also present their works to directors of theaters and cultural institutions, aiming to strengthen and expand production and distribution networks while fostering new business opportunities and competitiveness.

Through interactive exchanges, industry professionals will discuss their respective productions and explore potential placements in their national markets. Economic operators will also have the opportunity to experience theatrical and musical performances, allowing local artists to connect with new business prospects.

From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, a debate will take place featuring Ms. Palmina Cannone, director of the Museum of Ancient Arts of Fasano.

Following this, from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM, participants will meet Mr. Albert Metasani, an Albanian painter renowned in Italy for his artistic contributions.

At 6:00 PM, the event will conclude at Teatro Sociale with the theatrical performance "Honor Your Father – Ndero Babane", presented by the SenzaConfine Association. The cast includes Maria Barnaba, Ginevra Ciuni, Serena Osma, and Alexander Kondi, under the direction of David Marzi and Teresa Cecere, with Erjion Hinaj serving as associate director.

A final debate will follow, featuring professionals and speakers who will discuss the outcomes of the collaborative theater production. Among the panelists will be:

• Teresa Cecere – Artistic Director and Theater Trainer, SenzaConfine Association
• David Marzi – Artistic Director, Actor, Playwright, and Director
• Erjion Hinaj – Actor, Director, and Spokesperson for Teatro di Argirocastro
• Mariateresa Maggi – President, Artistic Director, and Music Trainer, Association "Calliope"
• Mimmo Capozzi – Artistic Director, Teatro Sociale Fasano

This engaging event will not only celebrate artistic collaboration but also provide a platform for meaningful discussions on the future of performing arts in the South Adriatic region.