Dialoghi Immateriali: the first edition at the Villa Reale in Monza

Comitato per la Salvaguardia dell'Arte del Canto Lirico Ital

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On 9 October 2026, the Villa Reale in Monza hosted the first edition of Dialoghi Immateriali. The initiative was the result of the coordination and organisational work of the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Art of Italian Opera Singing, led by its President, Federico D. E. Sacchi. The Committee brought together communities and institutions in a programme that combined public discussion with live demonstrations, bringing Cremonese violin-making, opera singing, hunting horn playing, manual bell ringing, truffle hunting and extraction, and Italian cuisine into dialogue.

Above all, the discussions provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each of these traditions. Behind familiar terms such as “truffle hunters”, “bell ringers” and “singers” lie knowledge, relationships and ways of passing on practices that a brief definition cannot fully convey. Community representatives described widely differing nomination and safeguarding processes, offering fellow participants new perspectives on their own work.

Amid this diversity, a common thread also emerged. As observed by Matteo Paoletti, Associate Professor at the University of Bologna and Director of the Master’s Programme in Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Elena Sinibaldi of the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO focal point for the 2003 Convention, performative and ritual dimensions run through the practices brought together in Monza: heritage takes shape whenever it is practised, shared and passed on. Dialogue among the communities highlighted both their distinctive characteristics and the opportunities to recognise their own experiences in those of others.

The day opened with a video message from Ambassador Liborio Stellino, of Italy’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, who emphasised that this first edition of Dialoghi Immateriali was a living testament to the commitment of communities working to safeguard, protect and promote cultural heritage. In her online address, Mariassunta Peci, Director-General for European and International Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, stressed the importance of dialogue and the transmission of cultural traditions. She highlighted the fundamental role of the communities that preserve these traditions and the importance of increasingly multidisciplinary work and cooperation between institutions for their protection and safeguarding.

Alessandro Monti, Secretary-General of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, which coordinates UNESCO-related work among Italian government bodies, emphasised the importance of culture and education in building a culture of peace, reaffirming the Commission’s willingness to collaborate with the communities.

Throughout the discussions, several participants expressed a wish to give continuity to Dialoghi Immateriali, opening future editions to other elements of intangible cultural heritage. Possible ways of building a network among community representatives were discussed, ranging from direct communication to an association established specifically for this purpose. Identifying practical arrangements could be one of the topics for the next meeting.

During the day, the performances brought the themes addressed at the conference to life. The sounds of bells and hunting horns resonated through the Villa’s courtyards, marking and signalling the different stages of the day in keeping with the nature of the respective practices. In the Teatrino di Corte, Lena Yokoyama played the “Hammerle” violin, made around 1658 by Nicolò Amati and belonging to the City of Cremona’s civic collections of stringed instruments, in a performance with mezzo-soprano Valentina Ferrarese and Antonio Greco on the harpsichord. The dinner created by chef Marcello Passoni, featuring a menu freely inspired by intangible cultural heritage, also allowed the gathering to continue: between courses, brief performances showcased bell ringing, hunting horn playing, opera singing and the instruments of the violin-making tradition.

The first edition concluded with a shared desire to continue the dialogue. Through future meetings and the forms of collaboration they choose, the communities themselves will take forward the work begun in Monza.

Dialoghi Immateriali took place under the patronage of UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture.

Sponsor: Zurich Bank.

Water supply partners: Acqua Panna and Acqua S.Pellegrino.