VoxFem – On the Trail of Women's Voices

VoxFem, women's voices in Monopoli

VoxFem – On the Trail of Women's Voices is a multidisciplinary festival held in Monopoli, in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia. Established in 2023, the event is conceived and artistically directed by Lorena Carbonara in collaboration with the VoxFem network, a transnational and transcultural collective of scholars, researchers, and ARTivists promoting women's work in every stage of artistic production.

The project spans art, science, literature, music, and rights, aiming to amplify women's voices as keepers of knowledge, capable of dismantling oppressive traditions and imagining new futures. Each edition brings together talks, concerts, workshops, and exhibitions, hosting writers, sociolinguists, scientists, musicians, and activists of national and international renown.

Two iconic city landmarks

The festival is hosted across two cultural venues in the town of Monopoli: the Teatro Radar, which hosts evening talks and concerts, and the Prospero Rendella Civic Library, the heart of the initiative, which houses exhibitions, workshops, and in-depth sessions. The collaboration with the library gives the event a research-oriented and archival vocation, further evidenced by the creation of the VoxFem Book Collection.

Art, science, and rights

VoxFem is more than just a performance schedule: it is a journey that combines reflection and creativity. The talks address themes such as intersectionality, Southern feminisms, female genealogies, and the relationship between women and science, while the concerts showcase repertoires ranging from traditional Puglian folk music to Mediterranean world music. Art exhibitions and performing arts workshops complete a program designed for a wide audience.

Accessibility and inclusion

A hallmark of VoxFem is its commitment to inclusion: thanks to the collaboration with ENS Puglia and the University of Bari, all talks, exhibition openings, and workshops are accompanied by Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpretation. Admission to all events is free subject to availability, with registration required for limited-capacity workshops.

A festival rooted in the territory

Supported by the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Monopoli, VoxFem has quickly become a highly anticipated event in the Puglian cultural spring, successfully bridging the international scope of its network with a deep connection to the local community and the identity of the South.