There are times when the theater turns into an act of collective memory, in which the written words become lively meat on the stage. The press conference for the presentation of the show “The return of the soldier”, Yesterday at the Rendano Theater in Cosenzawas one of those moments. It was not only a question of announcing a representation, but of evoking a whole world – that of the writer Saverio Strati – and to make him speak to a present that seems to have not stopped dealing with the wounds of the war and the secrets of families.
Giancarlo Cauterucciothe director, took the floor with the intensity of those who lived the stories they tell. “Refurbish this text after 15 years was like finding yourself in front of a mirror – he said -. Saverio Stratithat I attended in the last years of his life, he is not just a writer. He was a philosopher of everyday life, an acute observer of human dynamics. It taught me that the simplest stories, when you treat depth, can become universal ». The director told personal episodes, such as the conversations to the intercom with layers, moments of intimate humanity that reveal the difficulties and dignity of a man who has left an indelible imprint in Italian culture.
Next to him, Luigi Franco, president of the 100Strates Committee, highlighted the crucial role of the project in enhancing the cultural legacy of Saverio Strati. «With this show we celebrate an author who has been able to transform the difficulties of his land into universal narratives.
“The return of the soldier” is one of his most significant creations, a work that faces the drama of the war through the microcosm of a southern family “said Franco. His words found Eco in Antonietta Cozza’s intervention, delegated to the culture of the Municipality of Cosenza, who underlined the importance of cultural initiatives of this caliber for the territory: “Our commitment is to ensure that culture is accessible to everyone, because it is through events like this that we can build a shared memory”.
The Teatro del Carro Company, represented by Luca Maria Michienzi, shared the enthusiasm for this production that involves an entirely Calabrian cast. “Our company has always dedicated itself to the enhancement of local traditions and identities – said Michienzi -. Working on a text like this, with a team of local talents, was a challenge and an honor ». Anna Maria De Luca, also present representing the company, added: “We believe that the theater can be a bridge between past and future, and this production is the perfect example”. The original music of the show was entrusted to two young Calabrian composers, Marco Carbone and Vincenzo Maria Campolongo, and the latter explained: «The music is not only an accompaniment, but a narrative element. We tried to create a sound tissue that dialogue with the themes of the show, from war to pain, from hope to betrayal ».
Cauteruccio then expanded his intervention, underlining the modernity of the text of Strati and Ziccarelli: «This is not only a family drama, but an archetypal reflection. The war, in this piece, is not just a theme, is a character. It insinuates itself into the most hidden places of our existence, transforming human behavior and bare the vulnerability of relationships “. The director also praised the cast: the actors Laura Marchianò, Stefania De Cola, Francesco Gallelli, Salvatore Alfano. And the choice to entrust the music to young artists. After the first Cosenza at the Rendano Theater, Wednesday 26, the show on 30 will be at Chilea in Reggio Calabria, on April 4 at the Politeama in Catanzaro, 8 at Gentile di Cittanova and April 13 at the Crotone municipal. All free. Finally, the words of Cauteruccio: «This is not a show that is looking for the sold out. It is a show that seeks the meeting, the comparison. And the gesture of the Calabria Region, to offer free admission, is an extraordinary example of how culture can be an essential service, a nourishment for the soul ».
In the end, the return of the soldier is not only a tribute to Saverio Strati, but a call to reflect on the unresolved knots of our history and our present.
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