Candidly
On the International Day of Peace , which is celebrated throughout the world on September 21 , the theatrical show “CandidaMente” , directed by Elide Giordanengo , will be performed at the Toselli Theatre (9 pm, free admission, until seats are taken).
This is a theatrical reworking of Voltaire's "Candide, or Optimism," a novel in which Voltaire ironically refutes optimistic doctrines that held that the universe was created by God in such a way that all its constituent elements are in harmony with each other and that this world is the best of all possible. Conceived to combat this unbridled optimism, "Candide" is simultaneously a denunciation of the ills afflicting the world and a synthesis of the Enlightenment message, which calls for liberation from violence and religious intolerance and the construction of a free society governed by reason.
Director Elide Giordanengo explains : " Given the current situation, this message is urgent, necessary, indispensable. We must be aware that we are part of this world and that, to cultivate hope, we must be the first to lead a change that connects our brains to our hearts ."
CandidaMente is part of the "Cuneo for Peace" series , an initiative of the municipal administration, launched in the autumn of 2024 with the aim of encouraging discussion and raising awareness on peace issues, networking the many local organizations working on this theme.
Mayor Patrizia Manassero, who also has responsibilities for peace, emphasizes: "In such a delicate and dramatic time, we felt it was important to try to raise the issue of peace in our city as well. The call has arisen in many different contexts, starting with the City Council. This is the beginning of a journey that we want to deepen and consolidate because we believe there are viable alternatives to violence as a way to resolve conflicts, at every level."
The theatrical event "CandidaMEnte" is also part of the "Through Memory" project, which, through a series of initiatives, aims to commemorate the European history of anti-Jewish persecution in the twentieth century and the biblical exodus of over a thousand Jews from the French village of Saint Martin Vésubie, following the Fourth Army, towards the Cuneo valleys in search of a way out (September 8-13, 1943). The project is the result of a collaboration agreement signed for the five-year period 2023-2027 between the municipalities of Cuneo, Borgo San Dalmazzo, Entracque, Valdieri, and Valloriate, the Valle Stura Mountain Union, the Cuneo Historical Institute of the Resistance, the Maritime Alps Protected Areas Management Agency, the Cuneo Provincial ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans) and the Cuneo Alpine Valleys and Art Cities Local Tourist Board (ATL).
The show CandidaMente will be performed on Sunday, September 21st at 9:00 pm. Admission is free while seats last. (Info: 0171.444.812-818, spettacolo@comune.cuneo.it). Performers: Anna Bevilacqua, Paolo Borello, Aurora Cisse, Mario Cucci, Tiziana Dutto, Massimo Gagliardi, Elide Giordanengo, Marco Latini, Chiara Malabocchia, Francesca Martini, Silvia Satta, Mauro Toro, Andrea Zus. Technicians: Erio Giordanengo (lighting), Cecilia Baudino (sound). Director: Elide Giordanengo.