Sphairos – Philosophical Encounters in the Places of Empedocles

Sphairos 2025: the first edition

The first edition of Sphairos was held in Agrigento from October 28 to 31, 2025, under the theme "Inside and outside Plato's cave," as part of the Agrigento Italian Capital of Culture program. October 28 was dedicated to the city's high schools, featuring debates among students.

The inauguration on October 29 at the Teatro Pirandello featured a lectio magistralis by philosopher Massimo Cacciari on the theme "The Ancients and Us." In the following days, events were held at the Monastery of Santo Spirito, performance-lectures at the Church of San Pietro, and two philosophical peripati in the Valley of the Temples and the Hellenistic theater, with the participation of archaeologists, writer Pietro Del Soldà, and science communicator Massimo Polidoro. Admission to all events was free.

October 28 – Schools

Debates among students from Agrigento high schools (Liceo Classico Empedocle, Liceo Leonardo, Liceo Politi).

October 29 – Inauguration

Teatro Pirandello: lectio magistralis by Massimo Cacciari, "The Ancients and Us." In the evening, at the Church of San Pietro, performance-lecture "Plato's cave through other eyes."

October 30

Monastery of Santo Spirito: talks by Alfonso Maurizio Iacono and Bruno Centrone on Empedocles. At noon, first peripato in the Valley of the Temples with an archaeologist and Massimo Polidoro; in the evening, Polidoro's lecture on pseudoscience.

October 31 – Closing

Monastery of Santo Spirito: lessons by Francesca Piazza and Arianna Fermani. At noon, second peripato at the Hellenistic theater with archaeologist Valentina Caminneci and Pietro Del Soldà. In the evening, closing event with Del Soldà.

• Inaugural lectio magistralis by Massimo Cacciari at the Teatro Pirandello
• Philosophical peripati in the Valley of the Temples and the Hellenistic theater
• Performance-lectures at the Church of San Pietro
• Guests such as Pietro Del Soldà and Massimo Polidoro