The Sarzana Festival of the Mind or Festival della Mente is held every summer in different locations across the city of Sarzana, in the province of La Spezia. The festival's primary goal is to promote humanistic values and culture as well as to start a discussion about the state of today's society and the future. Participants from different countries who belong to different generations interact during numerous seminars, meetings, readings, workshops, cultural presentations, and performances. The program also features activities for children and teenagers.
Opening Hours
During the festival period, the venue is open from 9 am until 11 pm. The events at the Festival della Mente typically last approximately 60 minutes each.
Events
The three-day event features more than sixty activities aimed to shed light on how ideas are developed. Writers, musicians, artists, psychologists, architects and designers, historians, mathematicians, actors, philosophers, and scientists from Italy and abroad—all gather here to contribute to the understanding of the nature and characteristics of creativity.
Programma
The Festival della Mente begins with an illustrious Opening Ceremony on Friday at 5 pm in Piazza Matteotti 1. The event will be graced by notable figures, including Cristina Ponzanelli, Mayor of the Municipality of Sarzana; Andrea Corradino, President of the Carispezia Foundation; and Benedetta Marietti, Festival Director. This ceremony sets the stage for a series of engaging events where attendees can explore themes of gratitude, literature, cultural heritage, and more.
Tickets
At the Festival della Mente, ticket prices vary depending on the event. Generally, most events are priced at €4.50 each, with the exception of event number 1, which offers free entry with a ticket that can be booked through the same procedure as other events. Events number 4, 19, and 30 are priced at €12 each, while event number 38 costs €9. ExtraFestival events typically offer free entry, except for event number 43, which also requires a ticket that can be booked in the same manner as other events.
History of Festival della Mente
Held since the early 2000s, the festival is promoted by Carispezia Foundation and the Municipality of Sarzana and is directed by Benedetta Marietti. The scientific director is Gustavo Pietropolli Charmet.
Sarzana: What to See
Sarzana is located in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, about 15 km (9 mi) from Spezia. The city boasts the beautiful Sarzana Cathedral, Citadel of Sarzana, and the Castle on the hill of Sarzanello, founded during the times of emperor Otto I. Visitors can also go to the nearby coastal village Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
