A Sea of Music — Music and Narratives of the Mediterranean

The voices of the Mediterranean in the square

There is a sea that unites shores, languages, and traditions: the Mediterranean. It is this imaginary that inspires A Sea of Music — Music and Narratives of the Mediterranean, the evening that enlivens Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi, in the heart of Matera, with concerts, dances, and stories dedicated to Mediterranean culture. A free and open-to-all event, perfectly in tune with 2026 as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.

Music, words, and dance

Musical direction is entrusted to Stefano Saletti, one of the most authoritative Italian interpreters of Mediterranean music, capable of weaving together instruments, rhythms, and languages from the different shores of the Mare Nostrum. The evening is hosted by journalist Karima Moual, a voice attentive to themes of intercultural dialogue. The artistic program is completed by choreography by Mary D'Alessio, readings by Manuel Santagata, and the Ikona Band, for a show that combines live music, dance, and narration.

The Mediterranean Culture Award

The central moment of the evening is the presentation of the Mediterranean Culture Award, an award dedicated to those who have distinguished themselves in promoting dialogue and culture among the peoples of the Mediterranean. The initiative is sponsored by the Municipality of Matera and the Carical Foundation, confirming the event's deep roots in the cultural life of the city and the Province of Matera.

An evening not to be missed

Beneath the baroque facades of Piazza San Francesco, A Sea of Music offers one of the most evocative summer evenings in Matera's calendar: free admission, a intimate atmosphere, and a program that invites us to view the Mediterranean as a space of encounter rather than division.