In Their Name is in its second edition, a festival born on the wave of enthusiasm for the capture of Matteo Messina Money in 2023.
The appointment is for May 25, 2024 from 3.30pm to midnight in Selinunte Archaeological Park. Entrance is free upon reservation (link at the end of the article).
The idea was born from the will of the jazz pianist Sade Mangiaracina, artistic director, to bring beauty back to an area strongly characterized by the mafia presence. This second edition was created to affirm the importance of a cultural presence that unites artists, activists, journalists and families of the victims in a musical marathon that speaks of justice, memory and hope.
In fact, the social promotion association was born last year On their behalf which has as founding members Sade Mangiaracinathe pop-jazz singer-songwriter Simona Molinari, Dario Mangiaracinamusician and co-founder of The List Representative, Franco D'Aniello musician and co-founder of Modena City Ramblersthe singer-songwriter Giuseppe Anastasithe music manager Stefania Contethe communications expert Flavius Leojournalists Patrizia Vivona and Max Firreri; and, finally, the head of the educational activities of the Falcone Foundation Turi Benintend.
The festival was born from an important event, Sade Mangiaracina tells:
“January 16, 2023 is a date that changed the narrative of Sicily, indeed of the whole of Italy, and changed me as a Castelvetranese citizen.
I immediately wanted to celebrate, above all not only the arrest of a fugitive, the last of the massacres, but I felt overwhelmingly the need to remember all the victims of the mafia and all the people who have been fighting for too long against all the mafias.
In those days following the arrest, the only thing talked about, through newspapers and television news, was how many hideouts he had or how many “relics” of various types were inside; no one talked about the dozens and dozens of people who had lost their lives at the hands of him or his instigators since the 1980s.
There I started making phone calls to friends who like me are from that area to organize an event that was big and full of music and words against everything that Messina Denaro represented”
In the eclectic Italian music scene, music is often not just entertainment, but a form of protest, denunciation, and hope.
And there is no better example of this philosophy than the event A Nome Loro – Music and voices for mafia victims wants to share.
Organized in the splendid setting of Selinunte Archaeological Park, this event is much more than a concert. It is a declaration of resistance against organized crime and a tribute to the victims of the mafia.
on their behalf – A line-up of talent
This year's line-up is a true spectacle of contemporary Italian music. From established names like Daniele Silvestri, Malika Ayane and La Representative di Lista, Levante to new promises like David Shorty And Anna Castiglia. The stage of In Their Name it will be a celebration of Italian diversity and creativity. There will be no shortage of special performances, like that of Simona Molinari together with the Do Re Mi Children's Choir of the school “Giuseppe Di Matteo” Of Castelvetrano.
Levant | The List Representative | Malika Ayane | Raiz | Daniele Silvestri | Paolo Fresu | Donatella Rector | Arisa | Simona Molinari feat. Choir Do Re Mi | Anna Castiglia | Cristiano Godano (Marlene Kuntz) | Gianluca Petrella | David Shorty | Modena City Ramblers | Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi (La Crus) Andrea Satta (Têtes de Bois) | Angelo Sicurella | Bonnot | Giuseppe Anastasi | Franca Masu | Silvia Midnight | Mario Lavezzi | Martina Cirri | Cico Messina | The Asteroids | Revolution Girl | Hermes Russo THE Musicians | Senia | The Animated Brass | The Brugnanos | Sicilian Symphonic Choir
A message of hope and commitment
But In Their Name it's not just music: it's also social and cultural commitment. During the event, there will be testimonies from activists, families of the victims, and journalists who are experts on the topic, who will highlight the true extent of the mafia phenomenon and the importance of the daily struggle to combat it.
On stage, to bear their testimony of commitment and memory, actresses and actors such as Dajana Roncione, Donatella Finocchiaro, Luigi Lo Cascio, Paolo Briguglia, Fabrizio Ferracane And The Samsons.
In the area in front of the Temple, directly managed by the ANSA news agency, there will be alternating journalists who are experts in the topic, exponents of civil society such as representatives of Goodbyethe journalist Lirio Abbate and some family members of mafia victims such as Salvatore and Emilia Catalano, Francesco Mongiovì, Rosa Maria Vento, Fina Valenti and Giovanni Montinaro. Furthermore, it will also be present Giuseppe Cimarosaappreciated director and performer of Equestrian Theatreson of the collaborator of justice Lorenzo and nephew of Matteo Messina Moneyfrom which he clearly distanced himself many years ago, committing himself, since then, to a continuous and passionate testimony against all mafias.
At a time when the mafia continues to threaten freedom and democracy, In Their Name it is a beacon of hope and resistance. It is an example of how music can be a powerful tool for social and cultural change. This event is not just a concert, but a declaration of intent: an invitation to all of us to unite in the fight against organized crime and to always remember the innocent victims.
Furthermore, the association In Their Name will be rewarded with the prize Peppino Impastato 2024 for its civil and cultural value in countering the mafia domination of Matteo Messina Denaro. Highlighting the desire to build a cultural presence in the area, the association involved students from six schools in the province of Palermo, Trapani and Castelvetrano, to listen to their ideas and points of view. Additionally, musical training scholarships will be awarded to young people residing in certain municipalities, as a way to promote cultural freedom and the rise of young Sicilian talent.
To book for the free event click here