Francis 4.0 Festival

Ten days of events marking eight hundred years since the approval of the Franciscan rule and the first Nativity scene.

The Francis 4.0 festival is a nationally and internationally oriented event, a workshop of ideas and thought, of practical actions and listening, aimed at revitalizing Franciscanism and the themes associated with it in our contemporary times.

PROGRAM

Friday, August 11th
at 4:00 PM
BANNER FOR WORLD PEACE
Unveiling of a one-kilometer-long banner for world peace along the streets of Chiusi della Verna, made from recycled sheets with peace messages from all over Italy. Arrival of the Festival’s icon and the Light for World Peace, taken in March 2022 from the Chapel of the Stigmata in Chiusi della Verna. Inauguration of the Luce exhibition by Loretta Doro.
at 5:00 PM
FESTIVAL OPENING
Greetings from authorities. Federico Eligi, Representative of the Presidency of the Tuscany Region for historical events, will speak.
Following that, “From the Stamped Rule to the First Nativity Scene in Greccio”: A scenic representation in costumes performed by the actors of the living Nativity scene along the river in Pescia, previously presented in Rome at the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the site where the events took place. With the participation of the living Nativity scene actors. Scenes of the Annunciation, Joseph’s Dream, and the Nativity. Stefano Mattii and Giulia Orlandini will perform the official Terre di Presepi anthem “Today He is Born for You.”

Saturday, August 12th
at 10:00 AM
FRANCESCO 4.0 OPENING AND PRESENTATION
Introduced by: Fabrizio Mandorlini, National Association of Cities of Nativity Scenes
Speakers: Mons. Andrea Turazzi, Bishop of San Marino – Montefeltro; Maurizio Zerini, President of the Italian Catholic Artists Union; Senator Silvio Franceschelli, member of the 9th permanent Commission (Industry, Trade, Tourism, Agriculture, and Food Production); Giampaolo Tellini, Mayor of Chiusi della Verna

from 11:00 AM
EXPERIENTIAL, SPIRITUAL, AND GASTRONOMIC TOURISM
Development opportunities in Franciscan anniversaries: the fruits of the land.
Speaker: Senator Silvio Franceschelli
Local producers will participate. Display of products, tasting opportunities, and sales. Presentation of local activities and products. Ribbon cutting for the Truffle Fair and the Tortello Festival in Corezzo. Presidents of the Pro Loco associations of Corezzo and Chiusi will be present. Truffle hunting demonstration, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, with champion dogs and truffle hunters.
The Alliances of Taste: The Tortello meets the black truffle
Cooking show and a toast to the festival and producers, with small tastings distributed to attendees. Franco Polidori, President of Arga Toscana, will speak.
At 5:00 PM, the festival will move to Corezzo for the inauguration of the Tortello Festival alla Lastra.

Sunday, August 13th
at 3:30 PM
FROM THE GRECCIO NATIVITY SCENE, A MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL TIMES
Meeting with: Emiliano Manfredonia, President of Acli National; Emiliano Fabi, Mayor of Greccio and President of the National Committee Greccio 2023; Andrea Pieroni, Regional Councilor of Tuscany.
Moderator: Fabrizio Mandorlini, National Association of Cities of Nativity Scenes

Monday, August 14th
at 3:30 PM
EXPLORING THE FOREST AND ITS PLANTS WITH RICCARDO BUTI.
at 5:00 PM
PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK “IL DRAGO SUL CAMPO” BY RICCARDO BUTI IN SUPPORT OF STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION OF PISA.
at 8:45 PM
TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION TO THE VERNA SANCTUARY.

Wednesday, August 16th
from 3:30 PM
PATHS OF ITALY: WHERE NATURE AND SPIRITUALITY MEET
Discussion with: Federico Eligi, Delegate from the President of the Tuscany Region for paths; Flavio Foietta, President of Via Romea Germanica; Gianluca Bambi, Ippovie, riding the paths on horseback; Gianfranco Bracci, The Roads of the Etruscans: from Pisa to Spina and from Volterra to Chiusi; Eraldo Ammannati, The experience of the Via Francigena in Tuscany; Marco Quaranta, Visit Alpi Liguri: The Network of Monregalese Paths; Terre di Presepi, Italy’s longest nativity scene network. Mapping nativity scenes along the paths.

THE PATHS OF FRANCIS IN THE EIGHT-HUNDRED-YEAR ANNIVERSARIES: PERSPECTIVES AND DEVELOPMENTS
Invitations and participation of all actors at every level involved in the journey. Introduced by Giampaolo Tellini, Mayor of Chiusi della Verna.

EUROPEAN PATHS
Interview with Alberto d’Alessandro, former Director of the Council of Europe, Venice Office; followed by a Cooking Show: Pilgrims’ Food. Moderated by Fabrizio Mandorlini and Sabrina Busato.

Thursday, August 17th
from 3:30 PM
A MANIFESTO FOR THE ARNO RIVER. A PILOT EXAMPLE FOR ITALIAN RIVERS. THE FINITE RESOURCE OF WATER
Discussion with some promoters: Sabrina Busato, President of Feisct; Fabiola Franchi, Municipality of Vicopisano; Rosanna Gallerini, Municipality of Capraia e Limite; Fabio Franchi, Municipality of S. Giovanni Valdarno; Capraia-Limite Rowing Club; Edoardo Antonini, Pro Loco Capraia e Limite.

BLUETOUR 2023: ITALY SEEN FROM THE SEA
Discussion with: Sabrina Busato, President of Feisct and promoter of the organization’s initiative; Alfredo Giacon, writer, skipper, and owner of Jancris. During the afternoon: Awarding of diplomas to new Tuscany Ambassadors. Followed by a Cooking Show.

Friday, August 18th
from 3:30 PM
FRANCISCANISM, HISTORY, ART, AND BEAUTY
Participants: Isabella Gagliardi, University of Florence, “The Franciscan Women”; Mons. Giovanni Paccosi, Bishop of San Miniato and Cet delegate for Culture “Art and Beauty”; Domenico Mugnaini, Director of the Tuscana Oggi Weekly “Masterpieces of the Heart”; Friar Paolo Stoppani, Monastic Fraternity of Montegiovi “Icon of the Stigmata of Art”; Fabrizio Mandorlini “The Nativity Scene, Representation of the Incarnation.”
Moderated by Ermanno Poletti, artist.

PEACE, NATURE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND GLOBALIZATION. THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.
Discussion with: Alex Zanotelli, missionary, and Fausto De Stefani, Mountaineer.
at 9:00 PM
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BROTHER WOLF.
Nighttime forest excursion.

Saturday, August 19th
from 3:30 PM
AT THE ORIGINS OF THE “PERDONO GRANDE” OF SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO
Speaker: Prof. Carlo Fabbri, historian.
Meeting promoted by the Municipality of San Giovanni Valdarno and the Basilica Maria SS.ma della Grazie Foundation.

A COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE AT THE GATES OF LA VERNA
The Monastic Fraternity of Montegiovi speaks about itself.
at 5:30 PM
I RAGAZZI DI ARNOLFO IN CONCERTO
Followed by a Cooking Show.

from 7:30 PM
DINNER WITH LOCAL DISHES AND LIVE MUSIC

Sunday, August 20th
at 10:00 AM
ARRIVAL OF THE ICON OF SAN LORENZO FROM ROME
at 3:30 PM
FROM LA VERNA TO BOLOGNA IN THE NAME OF FRANCIS
A conversation with Sister Daniela Scarpellini from the Franciscan Festival of Bologna’s board. Followed by a Cooking Show.
from 7:00 PM
CLOSING FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
Dinner with local dishes and traditional Franciscan cuisine, accompanied by live music with Stefano Mattii.

SIDE EXHIBITIONS

Dioramas, open and creative nativity scenes from Italy displayed in a one-kilometer-long path.

“50 Franciscan Saints,” Collective painting by the Italian Catholic Artists Union
“Conscious Impotence” by Diana Polo and Elisabetta Fontani
“Mother Nature, Sister Painting” by Claudio Occhipinti
“Mother Earth” – Collective painting; “The Fruits of the Earth: Wheat” by Arti il Ghibellino
“Water, Earth, Fire, Hands” by Adrian Triboie and Vitaliee
“Moldova, Praise of Nature” by Alecu Renita; “Light” by Loretta Doro
“The Canticle of the Creatures,” collective; “I am Francis” by Massimo Nardi
“Man and Nature” by Domenico Conforte
“Fluid Borders” by Lorella Consorti
“Life of Saint Clare in 5 panels”
“Adoration of the Magi” by Lina Vinazzani
“Birth in Art,” collective; “Annunciations and Madonnas,” collective
“Advent Calendar” collective by UCAI

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