Materadio, Rai Radio3 Festival is back for the eighth consecutive year in Matera from 21st to 23^rd September!

As in previous editions, Materadio brings together important talking points,  linking them to one of the 5 themes of the candidacy bid book of Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019. The theme of this year’s edition  - Connections and Reflections – looks at the relationship between the local and the global, at a time when the key challenge is how to identify the principles of connection in today's fragile democracy.

Migration flows are the main connections nowadays, apart from those on the web. These are the topics most closely associated with two major personalities from the world of culture who will be paid homage during debates which will be dedicated to them during Materadio. The first is Antonio Infantino, the founder of the Tarantolati di Tricarico who broadened his network, allowing him to access main European stages with his trance pop music, a virtuous mixture of sounds and numbers built on the very ancient relationship between music and pythagorean tradition, The second is Alessandro Leogrande who gave us illuminating thoughts on the theme of the border. This challenges us to find balance in the need to build networks in a democracy at risk. The writers Nicola Lagioia and Nadia Terranova will pay homage to them. 

Luigi Cinque and Antonello Salis will dedicate a concert to the Lucanian poet and musician.

The risks and opportunities of the local versus the global will be discussed with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jhumpa Lahiri and Tahar Ben Jelloun. The visions by the anthropologist Marco Aime and the professor of genetics Guido Barbujani, will make us reflect on the meaning of the words “race” and “identity” for the community. The connections do not only link countries but also historic times. This is the reason why Pietro Laureano and Paolo Matthiae will teach us to “listen to the stones” in order to enhance the multiple nature of the identifying elements of our heritage. The reflections will be linked by a text by Nicola Lagioia . The original production will be read and interpreted by Tommaso Ragno, with live music by Matera Elettrica(La Scuola di Musica Elettronica e Applicata del Conservatorio E.R. Duni. (The School of Electronic and Applied Music of the Conservatory of Music  "E. R. Duni" of Matera.

Materadio will also be the stage for theatre performances such as “Storie dal Decamerone – Una Guerra” (Stories from the Decameron – A War) by Anna Foglietta“”,“La vita davanti a sé” (The Life Before Us) by Silvio Orlando  adapted from Romain Gary’s novel Davide Enia with a preview of his theatre play L’Abisso. Other guests at Materadio include the writer Gianrico Carofiglio, the scientists Sandra Savaglio and Sandra Lucente and the actor Valerio Mastandrea at the microphone of Hollywood Party.

The major evening shows will start with Bobby Watson, the American saxophonist and icon of modern jazz, who will play alongside the jazz guitarist Dino Plasmati and his Ljp Quartet. The artist Max Gazzè will be the leader of a unique project drawing together musica colta and pop music. He will present two specific projects: one with the symphonic orchestra of the “Conservatorio of Matera” and the other with the band of Montescaglioso and Grottole. On Saturday evening Seun Kuti, son of Fela Kuti, and the new champion of the afro-beat music, will perform with his band.

Materadio will end with a tribute to Plovdiv, the city that will share the title of European Capital of Culture 2019 with Matera. Moni Ovadia will perform the show “Senza confini: ebrei e zingari” (WithoutBorders: Jews and Gypses). 

This is a very special edition of Materadio, with many live Radio 3 broadcasts directly from Matera previewing the main event of 2019, the year when 50 weeks of programmes, shows, major exhibitions and productions will make Matera the capital of Italy and of Europe for a year. 

Once again this year, as part of Materadio, the Mediateca di Matera, in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and the Materadio Village in Piazza San Francesco will house the Rai Porte Aperte, Project in collaboration with the Basilicata Rai Office. Rai opens its doors to all students to show them the professional skills involved in the world of Rai.

This year, Materadio is also a diffuse event with an Off the Air program  in a buzzing city that for one entire week will entertain and amaze with an incredible range of events, performances and experiences alongside the official program.

Materadio is a Rai Radio 3 initiative co-produced by Matera 2019.

Matera 2019 is supported by 

Tim (the Main Partner)

Bawer, Calia e Saicaf (Official Suppliers)

Amaro Lucano(Essential Partner)

Trenitalia (Official Carrier)

Check out the complete programme on Matera Events!