A series of world premieres, concerts, urban installations, book presentations and film screenings to commemorate the first man on the moon and Rocco Petrone, the Lucanian who led the Apollo 11 mission

It was 16 July 1969, 9.32 am local time. At that exact moment at the John F. Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, a voice ended the countdown giving way to the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft that would bring, for the first time in human history, two men to the moon: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. It was July 20, 1969, at 22:18 and 04 seconds (Italian time), when the spacecraft landed on the lunar soil whilst the whole world watched on in awe. Six hours later, at 04.56 Italian time, Armstrong stepped foot on the moon, " That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind ". The mission ended on July 24, as astronauts returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

That iconic voice of the countdown that echoed all across the world was of a Lucanian, Rocco Petrone, a son of emigrants from Sasso di Castalda (province of Potenza). A son of Basilicata who faced life' s challenges with resilience and rose to prominence until he was appointed the head of NASA space mission that changed humanity's collective history.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first man on the Moon and to remember a great son of Basilicata and Italy, Matera, the European capital of culture 2019 and home to the prestigious Space Geodesy Center, set a series of week long events that will start exactly at 7:32 pm on 16 July until the evening of 24 July.
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"Matera, seen from the moon" is the project that features 10 days of performances, book presentations, film screenings, world premieres, urban installations on the theme of the moon as well as live music events at the Cava del Sole.

"Matera seen from the Moon" is due to be premiered on Monday 15 July at 18.30 at Cava Paradiso with "Nanogagliato Festival meets Matera 2019": scientists from the academy promoted by Mauro Ferrari will dialogue with the public on sciences, nanotechnology and space. Afterwards, guided tour of the "Single Vision" exhibit by Studio Formafantasma, as part of the IDEA project followed by refreshing summer drinks (admission with Matera 2019 Passport, no booking required).
At 9 pm, screening of the film "THE FIRST MAN" by Damien Chazelle (2018) on the life story of Neil Armstrong, at the Jazzo Gattini Visit Center (admission with Matera 2019 Passport, subject to availability).

On July 16, at 10.00 am at the Garden of MOMents - Piazza Semeria, "Lunar Experiments, the laboratory for young scientists" will be held by the Gagliato Junior Academy for Nanosciences. Here it will be possible to carry out a series of experiments, ranging from the moon phases to the role of nanoscience in space.

The event will then move to Sasso di Castalda, Capital for a Day, at 6 pm. "A Capital under the Moonlight": an evening dedicated to the memory of Rocco Petrone: the NASA official is to have a town square named after him. Plus, author Renato Cantore will present the latest edition of his book “Dalla Terra alla Luna. Rocco Petrone, l'italiano dell'Apollo 11” (From the Earth to the Moon. Rocco Petrone, the Italian of the Apollo 11" (Rubbettino publishing)

At 9.00 pm screening of the film "Italian Moon", that features exclusive unaired scenes of Petrone and his relations with his country of origin.

Also on 16 July, in Matera, at about 9.30 pm, opening of the urban installations of "Matera, seen from the moon". An urban route across the cobbled streets of the old town in collaboration with the traders of Matera. The "Mission in urban space" route will run from Piazza San Giovanni to Piazza San Francesco, leading to the final “moon landing” in Piazzetta Pascoli. During the parade 3 big moons will be lit, accompanied by musicians, astronauts, strorytellers, projections, lunar sweetness.

Major events of this one-off programme include Luna Italiana (Italian Moon) on July 17, at 7.00 pm, on the terrace of the Lanfranchi Palace. The event is entirely dedicated to the figure and role of Rocco Petrone, a story that combines emigration and the American dream (admission with Matera 2019 Passport, subject to availability).
In the evening Renato Cantore will discuss the latest edition of his book. The presentation will be followed by the official premiere of Italian filmmaker Marco Spagnoli's “Luna Italiana. Rocco Petrone e il viaggio dell’Apollo 11” (Italian Moon. Rocco Petrone and the voyage of Apollo 11). A documentary produced by the Istituto Luce-Cinecittà for A + E Networks Italia with the sponsorship of the Italian Space Agency and in collaboration with NASA, to be broadcast on History (Sky channel 407) on 18 July at 10.40 pm.

On the same day at 6 pm, (venue: piazzetta della Cittadinanza Attiva), "The Infinite and the moon in Giacomo Leopardi' s poetic vision". 200 years after Leopardi's best-known poem, poet and writer Davide Rondoni will discuss his latest book "E come il vento. L'Infinito, lo strano bacio del poeta al mondo” (The Infinite, the strange kiss of the poet to the world) "

On July 18, at 9 pm, Cava del Sole will feature one of Matera 2019 biggest events: the multimedia performance "Apollo Soundtrack". Matera celebrates the scientific progress of space explorations 50 years after this momentous accomplishment. The highlight will be the multimedia performance written by Brian Eno, Roger Eno and Daniel Lanois, to be performed for the first time outside the UK by the British band Icebreaker, with B.J. Cole, Roger Eno and the guest appearance of the Icelandic cellist Gyda Valtysdottir. At the stunning outdoor venue Cava del Sole, the audience will experience the thrill and mystery of the Apollo 11 Mission with a synaesthesia of visual stimulation and space sound. The show will feature blown-up NASA images of the day that ushered in the start of a new era as well as content generated by Leonardo (official partner of the event), with images of Earth from space. (Admission and pre-booking with Matera 2019 Passport, doors open at 7.30 pm. It will not be possible to reach the venue with one's own means. An extraordinary shuttle service Matera Centro-Cava del Sole will be available)

On 18 July, at 6.30 pm, at “Saint Francis Hypogea”, presentation of the book for children “Di luna in luna. Storia di un’esplorazione che è appena iniziata” (History of an exploration that has just begun”) by Stefano Sandrelli (Feltrinelli publishing).

Two events are planned on 19 July. At 18.00, "Constellation, The sky in a room"(“Costellazione, Il cielo in una stanza”) in collaboration with the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. At Giardino dell'angelo, (via Sant’Angelo 68, Matera), the real-virtual, collective, unitary and permanent work of art born of Expo Milano 2015, embraces Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019.
At 9pm, in Cava del Sole the "8 Tour" concert tour by the Italian band Subsonica is to visit Matera. A symbolic show full of meanings, as much as their studio records and the image of the infinite in our memory. A mixture of spatial and electronic music that has amazed the public for over twenty years. A time-space collision made of rhythm, love, sweat, introspection. A night to celebrate an "emotional microchip" ready to explode into a dust of music and stars. Dreaming of the moon, dancing from the earth (Admission and pre-booking with Matera 2019 Passport, doors open at 7.30 pm. It will not be possible to reach the venue with one's own means. An extraordinary shuttle service Matera Centro-Cava del Sole will be available).

On July 20, "The Sound of the Spirit", co-produced by the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation, Ateneo Musica Basilicata (“Suoni di Pietra-MaterArmoniae” project) and Lams (“Voices of the Spirit” project), to be developed in two moments.

A tribute to vocalism in its spiritual meaning, through a kaleidoscopic vision of various cultures, ranging from Syria and Russia. Well-renowned artist such as Mirna Kassis ensemble, Sajncho Namčylak & Actores Alidos, Caterina Pontrandolfo and Nina Nikolina (collaboration with Plovdiv was essential) will feature in the concert "Anima Mundi" (7.00 pm Piazza San Giovanni, free admission, no passport required ).

Next, world premiere performance of the Choir and Orchestra "Missa Vox Dei" composed for the occasion by Maestro Nicola Campogrande (at 9.00 pm and at 12.15 pm, Former Saint Rocco Hospital, admission with Matera 2019 Passport, booking required).

Also on 20 July the "Matera Heroes Pride, from shame to pride" will be held for the first time in Matera. In the same year of the first conquest of the Moon, events at New York City's Stonewall Inn sparked a multi-day riot that birthed the modern LGBT movement for equal rights. Two anniversaries linked by the same wonderful meaning.

On July 21, at 7.30 pm, "Aware. La Nave degli Incanti", inspired by the idea of travel as an opportunity for new knowledge and discoveries. It is about the five-step journey of Sofia, a sleepless girl, along with a lost fish, aboard a ship that crosses landscapes, communities and stories from a land full of mystery and wonder. Escape and return. Fleeing from the island to rediscover it. Looking at familiar places differently. The journey of the goldfish reaches its crucial turning point as that of Sofia and the ship continues. AWARE - La Nave degli Incanti is a project co-produced by the theater company Gommalacca Teatro and the Matera-Basilicata 2019 Foundation (Admission with Matera 2019 Passport, booking required).

On July 22, at 7.00 pm (venue:Cava Paradiso), guided tours of the exhibition “Visione Unica” ("Single Vision") by Studio Formafantasma as part of the IDEA project (with passport, no booking required). At 9.30 pm at the Jazzo Gattini Visitor Center, screening of Duncan Jones's film “MOON” (admission with Matera 2019 Passport, subject to availability).

On July 24, a major symphonic concert in the Cava del Sole will close the programme "Matera seen from the Moon" (admission with Passport to Matera 2019 and pre-booking). The Rai national symphony orchestra directed by James Conlon will present a programme called "Symphony for Europe". A concert under the stars and the moon to close a series of week long events.

Further events: from 20 to 28 July Ferrandina railway station to be entirely transformed thanks to Urban Art creations by Ironmound & Gods in Love and by Andrea Nolè & Rub Candy (artists selected by the MoMart Gallery).
In addition, from 16 to 21 July, in a place specifically set by Matera 2019, a number of Lucan radio stations will live broadcast music and news related to the moon. Finally, from 20 to 29 July, “Costellazione. Il cielo in una stanza”, ("Constellation. The sky in a room "), a contemporary art laboratory in collaboration with the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, aimed at shaping a celestial map, created by permanent and temporary citizens of the city: each card will contain the icon of dreams, memories, hopes and emotions. The open laboratory will take place from 20 to 29 July 2019 from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00.
"Matera seen from the Moon" is organized by the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation in collaboration with the Basilicata Museum Network and the Municipality of Matera.