On November 18, 2021, the conference "Dante Universal and Modern: 700 Years After His Death, Between Language and Identity" takes place at the former Conservatory of Sant'Anna in Lecce. Organized by the Euromediterranean Cultural Heritage Agency in collaboration with the Puglia Region, the Municipality of Lecce, and the University of Salento, the event celebrates the timeless relevance of Dante Alighieri through a multidisciplinary approach. However, it is the students from local high schools who truly stand out, offering a fresh and personal contribution to the understanding of his work.
These students, guided by their teachers, bring to life a series of Lecturae Dantis, where the words of the great poet resonate with strength and clarity, demonstrating the universality of his themes and their enduring relevance today. Their active involvement not only enriches the event but also provides a contemporary reinterpretation of Dante’s work, highlighting his ability to touch deep emotions even in younger generations.
The conference opens with an address by Pierfranco Bruni, a prominent intellectual and Italian literature scholar, who delves into the universal message of Dante. This is followed by Annarita Miglietta, professor of Italian Linguistics at the University of Salento, who explores Dante’s influence on the Italian language. Yet, it is the students’ performances that give the event a unique and innovative dimension.
Alice De Masi, Gioele Fiore, and Flavia Mariano, from Lecce's "Giulietta Banzi Bazoli" Scientific High School, coordinated by their teachers Maria Francesca Giordano and Maria Zampino, present "To Sail for Better Waters..." Love and Hope in Dante's Journey, reading from Canto V of the Inferno and Canto I of the Purgatorio. Through their voices, the depth of Dante's journey is revealed, addressing themes such as love and hope, demonstrating how the poet still speaks to the human heart.
Gioele Solazzo and Chiara Ugento, from the "Virgilio – Redi" High School in Lecce-Squinzano, accompanied by their teachers Gabriella Grasso and Gabriella Maci, continue with an analysis of Cato of Utica, a central figure in the Purgatorio, in their presentation "Cato of Utica, Figure of the Future", uncovering the prophetic significance of this character and its relevance to contemporary challenges.
The conference concludes with Alessandro Farachi, Arianna Pasca, and Anna Lucia Soccodato, from the "Quinto Ennio" High School in Gallipoli, under the guidance of teachers Gabriella Casavecchia and Maria Cristina Errico. They present "Virgilian Echoes in Dante, Dantean Echoes in Luzi", a compelling comparison of literary giants from Virgil to Mario Luzi, through the lens of Dante.
The event not only highlights Dante’s greatness but also showcases the ability of younger generations to interpret and breathe life into his work. Through their enthusiasm and sensitivity, the students become ambassadors of a Dantean reading that never loses its relevance, proving that culture is a bridge between the past and present, fostering a dialogue that transcends time.
