Tunis - From June 26 to July 6, Tunis welcomes the "IN SITU – TUNISI" Festival of Creativity, organized by the Italian Embassy in Tunisia in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute and in synergy with various Italian institutions, artists, and companies. The festival promises to bring vibrant energy to the streets of the capital, showcasing Italian architecture, fashion, design, cinema, theater, visual arts, history, archaeology, and crafts. Italian Ambassador Alessandro Prunas explained that the goal is "to foster an open, innovative, and interactive dialogue between the significant expressions of Italian and Tunisian creativity and some of Tunis city's most emblematic public spaces."

In partnership with Turin's National Cinema Museum, Rai Cinema, and Gold, the "Visions" project will unite Italian and Tunisian filmmakers through virtual reality. A groundbreaking VR short film, previewed at the Presbytery and Church of Santa Croce in the Medina, will immerse viewers in Tunis's iconic locales, capturing the city's diverse neighborhoods and showcasing the enduring influence of Italy in Tunisia.

The festival also pays homage to Italian music with Paolo Fresu, renowned jazz trumpeter, performing on June 26. Classical music enthusiasts can enjoy evenings with the Tunis Opera team, featuring Nicoletta Conti at Dar Nejma Ezzahra Palace in Sidi Bou Said on June 28 ("Opera Meets Neapolitan Song") and at the Théâtre des 700 in the Cité de la Culture on June 30 ("Great Italian Cinema in Concert"). Italian jazz musician Giovanni Falzone Trio will captivate audiences on June 29 at Khaznadar Palace in Halfaouine, in collaboration with the MAECI's General Directorate for Public Diplomacy and Fondazione Musica per Roma.

Fashion takes center stage with the "Fashion Frames" exhibition at the Presbytery of Santa Croce from June 26 to July 16, curated by Stefano Dominella of Maison Gattinoni. This showcase explores the fusion of cinema and fashion from the 1950s to today, featuring iconic designs by Fernanda Gattinoni, Emilio Schuberth, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, and others. Highlighting Italian-Tunisian collaboration, the evening "Italy and Tunisia in the Garden of Creative Encounters" will present creations by young Tunisian designers alongside tributes to Tunisia by Guillermo Mariotto for Gattinoni.

The festival also includes performances by Artemis Danza, exploring contemporary dance inspired by opera at the Presbytery of Santa Croce, choreographed by Monica Casadei. The "Qart Hadasht – The New City" project, uniting University of Bologna students and Institut Supérieur de Musique de Tunis musicians, culminates on June 29 at Dar Nejma Ezzahra Palace, featuring a production based on the timeless tale of Dido and Aeneas, shared by Italy and Tunisia for millennia.

Cinema enthusiasts can enjoy the "Italian Screens – New Italian Cinema in Tunis" initiative from July 4 to 6 at MadArt cinema in Carthage, presenting four acclaimed Italian films. Director Paolo Genovese will introduce "The First Day of My Life" on July 4, exploring existential themes with an all-star cast. The festival continues with screenings of Alice Rohrwacher's "La Chimera" on July 5 and "Maria and the Spirit of Midnight," representing Italy's animation prowess, followed by "Gloria!" by Margherita Vicario.

The "Denden Design Days" will run concurrently, celebrating Italian-Tunisian craftsmanship through masterclasses and seminars at the Tunis Design Hub, showcasing the fusion of local techniques with Italian innovation.

Lastly, visitors can embark on guided tours of the "Italian Painters of Tunisia" exhibition at TGM Gallery in La Marsa, offering an immersive journey through the works of renowned Italian artists who shaped Tunisia's artistic landscape in the past century, including Nello Levy, Antonio Corpora, and others. (9colonne)