Florence’s 2019 ‘Festival of Religions’ at San Miniato

April 26-28: Festival of Religions 2019. In its fourth edition, the Festival of Religions will take place in San Miniato al Monte. The festival will open with a special preview on April 25.

Fostering a plural and interreligious dialogue, the Festival of Religions will present guest speakers from diverse professions and religions. Speakers include philosophers, sociologists, journalists, politicians, a physicist, a doctor and religious personalities representing Judaism, Islam and Christianity. These guests will offer profound insights into the Festival’s theme ‘ORA-TE’ – signifying both ‘now you’ and the Latin word ‘pray’. Founder Francesca Campana Comparini explains that the theme of time is an incentive for individuals to stop, reflect and take action. The Festival will also mark the finale of the Benedictine abbey’s millenary celebrations with the closing of the Holy Door.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 26: The first day of the Festival will begin with a reading by Enzo Bianchi, founder of the Community of Bose, entitled ‘The Time of Prayer’ (3.30 pm).

Continuing the reflection on time, philosopher Sergio Givone will focus on the dualism between different meanings of time, ‘Kronos and Kairos’ (5.30 pm, Antiche Cantine del Frantoio, entrance from the Basilica). Father Bernardo Gianni will conclude the first day in leading a prayer involving music, readings, and the participation of Benedictine monks and the Order of Jerusalem (9 pm, Crypt of the Basilica).

Saturday 27: Following inaugural remarks by Father Bernardo Gianni, Francesca Campana Comparini and Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, the Festival of Religions will hold a prominent meeting between star guest speakers Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of Armenians (10.30 am).

In light of the teachings of the great Danish philosopher and theologian Kierkegaard, renowned Italian philosopher Massimo Cacciari will share his insights on the theme of time in his speech ‘L’Ora in Kierkegaard’ (3.30 pm).

Cardinal Pietro Parolin will preside over the closing ceremony of the Holy Door, marking the grand finale of the Benedictine abbey millenary celebrations (5.30 pm). The Holy Door of San Miniato al Monte was opened on April 27, 2018 by the Cardinal of Florence, Monsignor Giuseppe Betori, and commemorates the burial site of San Miniato and his comrades.

Lastly, the second day will close with a reflection by sociologists Chiara Giaccardi and Mauro Magatti, exploring ‘How Social Networks and the Media Influence Family Time’ (9 pm).

Sunday 28: The final day will commence with physicist Mario Rasetti’s talk on ‘What is Time?’ offering a scientific perspective into the Festival’s theme (3 pm).

Sharing the spotlight will be the Rabbi of Florence, Amedeo Spagnoletto, and the Imam of Milan, Yahya Pallavicini, who will engage in an interreligious dialogue focusing on ‘Time in Islam and in Judaism’ (5 pm, Antiche Cantine del Frantoio).

The Festival concludes with an analysis of the socio-political and ethical issue of immigration. Dr. Pietro Bartolo, a doctor from Lampedusa who is passionate about migrant rights, will concentrate on the question ‘Time to Welcome or Not?’ (7 pm).  (stephanie d’amelio)