Matera 2019: Festival Città delle Cento Scale Opens with Massimo Cacciari on Utopia

Established in 2008 by Associazione Basilicata 1799 with backing from MiBACT and Regione Basilicata, the Festival Città delle Cento Scale in Potenza reimagines urban environments as stages for performances. In 2014, the festival expanded to Matera, and this year marks its eighth edition, featuring a preview evening focused on philosopher Massimo Cacciari (born Venice, 1944) discussing 'the twilight of utopias.' The main events will commence in autumn, highlighting multidisciplinary approaches in dance, choreography, and urban space, particularly showcasing artists under 35. Previous notable participants include Jan Fabre and Virgilio Sieni. This year introduces International Artistic Residencies in both Matera and Potenza, with Cacciari's lecture launching a philosophical segment related to Matera's 2019 European Capital of Culture initiative.