Stories of women entrepreneurs and local culture: mobile performances celebrating Bergamo and Brescia

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Women who work in traditional sectors such as fashion or agriculture, but also entrepreneurs who sell air compressors or climb scaffolding to restore buildings and works of art. Their stories span several generations, aiming to tell what is going on, with an eye on the future. Twelve businesswomen have presented their stories to a theater performance that will travel throughout the year in the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia as part of the schedule linked to the Italian Capital of Culture 2023.

In the twelve monologues from the show, “Another Monday. Women’s acrobatic daily life stories “, directed by Laura Corino, actresses Chiara Magri and Giulia Manzini give a voice and body to the practical and private lives of the twelve women, telling a new vision and an alternative approach to the world of work. We have mapped out their exploration to return a view where the capacity for sophistication, flexibility and invention of the female world can be enlightening examples to encourage reflection on productivity and innovation in the world of work,” explains Chiara Magri. The project was developed by Tartaruga Aps and is one of 92 projects supported by €3.5 million from the tender “Capital of Culture 2023 Cariplo Foundation and Foundations of the Communities of Bergamo and Brescia Together for the Territory”.

With the same bid, another mobile theater project was funded, again as part of the plan for the two Lombard cities as capitals of culture. “Slow Emotion” is a show ride connecting Bergamo and Brescia via Valle Cavallina and the Brescia side of Lake Iseo.

A physical, artistic and emotional journey, born with the aim of discovering the hidden treasures of these lands, suburbs and lesser-known places and the unexpected stories of the communities they inhabit told by extraordinary performers. Each story staged by the Associazione Teatro ex Drogheria in the show is the result of research conducted in the area by professional educators, art therapists, psychologists and social theater operators who have collected first-hand testimonies. Participants shared local anecdotes, recollections, and personal life stories, irreverent or emotionally poignant stories that tell of the local area and culture. The last four editions, starting at 10 o’clock in Brescia and arriving at 18 o’clock in Bergamo, will take place between the end of September and the middle of October.

“We know that culture is an important driving force not only for the development of economy and tourism in our lands but also for the social development of our communities. What matters to us as a community foundation, more than what will happen during this year, is what will remain in our lands when the lights go out »summarizes Osvaldo Ranica, President of the Bergamo Community Foundation.