Red Cross Italy chief leads Mediterranean solidarity forum at Martina Franca Festival

On 28 July, the Chiostro di San Domenico in Martina Franca hosted a public discussion organised by the Italian Red Cross and the Fondazione Paolo Grassi as part of the 52nd Valle d'Itria Festival. The debate, titled “Mediterranean as a cultural crossroads and hub of hospitality”, featured Rosario Maria Gianluca Valastro, president of the Italian Red Cross, and composer‑director Silvia Colasanti, focusing on humanitarian aid in migration routes and the role of art in fostering inclusion.

The evening continued with the world’s first staged performance of Bizet’s *Carmen* using the original 1874 autograph score, restored by Bärenreiter. Musical direction was provided by Fabio Luisi, conducting the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari and the children’s choir of the Fondazione Paolo Grassi. The production, staged by Denis Krief, starred Deniz Uzun, Natalia Tanasii, Matteo Lippi and Alessandro Luongo, supported by young singers from the Accademia del Belcanto “Rodolfo Celletti”.