A Sea of Art and Culture
Edition 2026 Music Jazz Classical

A Sea of Art and Culture

Concerts at dawn, sunset, and under the stars on the Ionian coast of Furci Siculo

Furci Siculo — Messina (283) Since 2021
Dates 30 Jul — 02 Aug 2026
Location Furci Siculo (283)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About A Sea of Art and Culture

A Sea of Art and Culture is a multidisciplinary festival that transforms Furci Siculo, on the Ionian coast of the Messina province, into an open-air natural stage every summer. From dawn on the beach to late at night in Piazza Sacro Cuore, the event weaves together jazz, classical music, brass bands, cinema, tango, and sound experimentation. A multi-day journey of evocative concerts, screenings, and gatherings designed for residents and tourists alike, with free admission.

A festival that lives by the sea

A Sea of Art and Culture is the most anticipated summer event in Furci Siculo, a coastal town in the province of Messina overlooking the Ionian Sea in Sicily. Established in the early 2020s, the festival has become a symbol of the local summer thanks to its original format: the day begins with dawn concerts on the beach, continues with sunset performances along the promenade, and culminates in grand evenings in Piazza Sacro Cuore, where the music plays until late at night.

A multidisciplinary program

The festival's hallmark is the fusion of diverse artistic languages. The lineup features jazz, classical and chamber music, brass band performances, film scores, ethnic sounds, film screenings, book presentations, and tango nights with authentic milongas under the stars. The artistic direction is led by musician Carmelo Coglitore, with the involvement of local entities such as the Città di Furci Siculo Musical Association.

Dawn, sunset, and night on the coast

What makes this festival unique is its constant dialogue with the landscape. Musical awakenings at the first light of dawn, with the audience gathered on the sand facing the sea, have become the event's trademark. There is also space for younger generations, with youth orchestras and projects that bring together students and bands from different regions.

A community in celebration

Promoted under the patronage of the Municipality of Furci Siculo and the Sicily Region, the festival is much more than a simple concert series: it is a moment of collective identity for the Furci community and the entire Ionian area of Messina. Admission to all events is free, confirming the inclusive and grassroots nature of the festival.

How to participate

  • Events spread across the beach, the promenade, and Piazza Sacro Cuore
  • Concerts at dawn, sunset, and in the evening
  • Free admission to all events
  • Multidisciplinary program: jazz, classical, cinema, tango, brass bands

A Sea of Art and Culture — edition 2026

The sixth edition of A Sea of Art and Culture enlivens the Furci Siculo coast from July 30 to August 2, 2026, with the theme "Even stronger and more united after Harry," dedicated to the beach's rebirth following the cyclone. Four days of dawn concerts, jazz, film scores, ethnic fusions, and film screenings, alternating evocative seaside awakenings with major evening events in the square.

Rebirth after Harry

The sixth edition of A Sea of Art and Culture takes place in Furci Siculo from July 30 to August 2, 2026, with a theme of strong symbolic value: «Even stronger and more united after Harry». The beach, damaged by the devastating cyclone, becomes a natural theater for rebirth, solidarity, and a fresh start through the beauty of music and visual arts.

The program

Four days of major events alternating evocative dawn concerts with key evening appointments, ranging from jazz to film scores, ethnic fusions, and film screenings.

  • Thursday, July 30 (9:00 PM): opening by the Pannonica Jazz Workshop with the concert «Tribute to Louis Prima».
  • Saturday, August 1: at dawn (5:00 AM) the ethnic instruments of Gemino Calà; in the evening (9:00 PM) «Music meets images» with pianist Salvatore Bonafede and Roberta Di Staino on mandolin, featuring director Alberto Nacci and photographic projections by AFI011; followed (10:00 PM) by the voice and piano of Mario Rosini.
  • Sunday, August 2: the final musical awakening at dawn (5:00 AM) with the chromatic harmonica of Giuseppe Milici; closing (9:00 PM) with the project «Jazz in Banda», bringing together the «Città di Furci» Youth Brass Band and students from schools in Brescia and Messina, with the participation of pianist and arranger Corrado Guarino.

Events take place between the beach, the promenade, and the town center in Furci Siculo, in the province of Messina. Admission is free.

Programme A Sea of Art and Culture 2026

Thursday, July 30, 9:00 PM – Pannonica Jazz Workshop, «Tribute to Louis Prima» (opening). Saturday, August 1, 5:00 AM (dawn) – Gemino Calà, ethnic instruments; 9:00 PM – «Music meets images» with Salvatore Bonafede (piano) and Roberta Di Staino (mandolin), director Alberto Nacci, and AFI011 photographic projections; 10:00 PM – Mario Rosini (voice and piano). Sunday, August 2, 5:00 AM (dawn) – Giuseppe Milici, chromatic harmonica; 9:00 PM – «Jazz in Banda» with the «Città di Furci» Youth Brass Band and students from Brescia and Messina, with Corrado Guarino (piano and arrangements).

Highlights A Sea of Art and Culture 2026

Theme "Even stronger and more united after Harry" dedicated to the rebirth after the cyclone; dawn concerts on the beach; jazz with Salvatore Bonafede and Mario Rosini; grand finale with «Jazz in Banda».

Prices A Sea of Art and Culture 2026

Free admission to all events.

Practical information — A Sea of Art and Culture

Where

Events take place in Furci Siculo (Messina), across the beach, the promenade, and Piazza Sacro Cuore in the town center.

How to reach us

By car: A18 Messina-Catania motorway, exit at Roccalumera-Furci Siculo, then take the SS114. By train: Furci Siculo station on the Ionian line (Messina-Catania), just a short walk from the promenade.

Admission

Free admission to all events. We recommend arriving early for the dawn concerts on the beach.

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Where does it take place — A Sea of Art and Culture

Piazza Sacro Cuore, lungomare e spiaggia di Furci Siculo

Piazza Sacro Cuore, 98023 Furci Siculo

A Sea of Art and Culture in brief

Music Jazz Classical Brass band Dance Cinema Sea Outdoor Free Multidisciplinary Messina

History of A Sea of Art and Culture