September in Santa Chiara – Historical Conversations Circle

A conversation circle in the heart of Noci

«September in Santa Chiara» is one of the longest-running and most beloved cultural events in Noci, a town in the Province of Bari nestled in the heart of the Alta Murgia, in Puglia. It is not a series of academic lectures in the strict sense, but a true «Historical Conversations Circle»: informal meetings where scholars, local historians, and researchers share the town's history, traditions, and memory with the public using accessible language, leaving ample room for dialogue and free participation from those present.

The Cloister of the Clarisse, the event venue

Since 2011, the event has been held in the restored Cloister of the Clarisse, in the historic center of Noci, one of the most evocative corners of the town. The quadrangle of the ancient monastery, with its intimate and quiet atmosphere, becomes an open-air cultural salon for four evenings in September, where the community gathers to rediscover its roots.

Twenty-five years of local history

Founded in the early 2000s, the event has spanned more than two decades of activity: in the first twenty-three editions, approximately ninety-six meetings were organized with over one hundred and fifty presentations, covering diverse topics — from the medieval and modern history of the town to sacred art, local archaeology to folk traditions, and religious cults to the figures who shaped life in Noci. In 2026, the event reaches the milestone of its 25th edition, confirming its status as a fixture in the city's cultural calendar.

How the conversations work

Every Thursday in September, the public is invited to an evening meeting in the cloister. A speaker introduces a topic related to the history or traditions of Noci and its territory; the conversation is designed to be understandable to everyone, without technical jargon, and often concludes with a moment of open discussion. The events are free to attend and represent an opportunity for residents, enthusiasts, and visitors to get to know the city's identity more closely.

A collective cultural project

«September in Santa Chiara» is promoted by the «Giuseppe Albanese» Cultural Center, the Municipality of Noci, and the Municipal Library, with coordination by the library director and the collaboration of numerous local entities — including IPSAIC, the Umanesimo della Pietra Group, the «Terra Nucum» and Puglia Trek&Food associations, as well as local parishes and groups. It is this network of volunteers, scholars, and institutions that ensures the richness and variety of the topics proposed each year.