Manosanta

A series of 'non-workshops' in the heart of Salento

Manosanta is a recurring cultural project conceived by the creative studio Pazlab and hosted in Castrignano de' Greci, a small town in the Grecìa Salentina area in the province of Lecce, Puglia. Launched in 2024, it is presented as a series of 'non-workshops': not just simple courses, but immersive experiences that weave together design, photography, journalism, art, and communication, transforming the observation of the territory into concrete projects.

Each edition is divided into three independent three-day labs, spread between spring and early summer. Each lab is led by a nationally renowned guest who guides participants through lectures, fieldwork, and a collective presentation of the work produced.

Three labs, three perspectives

The Manosanta formula revolves around three verbs that serve as distinct perspectives: seeing, watching, and feeling. The first lab is dedicated to design and graphic arts, focusing on the forgotten architectural heritage of Salento; the second to photographic reportage and storytelling; the third to communication and journalism, with a special focus on listening and writing. The result is a multidisciplinary journey that attracts a community of young professionals and enthusiasts from all over Italy.

KORA and the Borgo del Contemporaneo

The venue for the meetings is KORA – Centro del Contemporaneo, on Via Vittorio Emanuele, a space created within the 'Borgo del Contemporaneo' project supported by European PNRR funds. KORA has become a landmark for cultural production in Southern Salento, a place where artists, researchers, and residents meet. Manosanta contributes to making Castrignano de' Greci a widespread laboratory capable of reinterpreting the landscape, memory, and identity of the territory.

A community project

Beyond its educational dimension, Manosanta is designed as a relational ecosystem: lab days alternate with evening events, field trips, and opportunities for informal exchange. The goal is to offer the local community, and those arriving from outside, a different way of experiencing and telling the story of inland Puglia, far from tourist stereotypes. Admission to the labs is free, upon registration, confirming the project's open and participatory nature.

Practical information

The labs are usually held in the late afternoon, with an indicative schedule from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and in some cases include evening activities or field trips. Places are limited: it is advisable to register in advance through the official Manosanta website and Pazlab's social media channels.