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To mark 700 years since the death of medieval poet, philosopher AND father of the Italian language Dante Alighieri, Italy is celebrating throughout 2021 with a vast program including free and online resources.
The year, known as Anno Dantesco, will celebrate the life and works of Dante in events throughout Italy, particularly in Florence and Tuscany, where the poet was born in 1265. Ravenna, the city where Dante died in exile and was buried in 1321, will also hold special events to celebrate the man known as il Sommo Poeta — the Supreme Poet.
In 2020, the Italian government declared March 25 as Dantedì, National Dante Day.
The short film “Dante, per nostra fortuna” or “Dante, our luck”, directed by Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, tells through 21 cantos (Hell, Purgatory and Heaven) the Divine Comedy with contemporary dance and through the metaphor of the theater.
Massimiliano Finazzer Flory recites the most significant Cantos of the Divine Comedy:
INFERNO/HELL: Canto I; Canto II; Canto III; Canto V; Canto VIII; Canto XIII; Canto XXVI; Canto XXXIII; Canto XXXIV
PURGATORIO/PURGATORY: Canto I; Canto V; Canto XVI; Canto XXVI; Canto XXX
PARADISO/HEAVEN: Canto I; Canto III; Canto XI; Canto XXII; Canto XXX; Canto XXXIII
The reading is accompanied by an original choreography directed by Michela Lucenti – pupil of Pina Bausch – with ten contemporary dancers from Balletto Civile and Teatro alla Scala soloist Maria Celeste Losa.
The dancers bring alive emotions, feelings and passion of a young Dante while reciting his cantos. The digital scenography is based on the beautiful illustrations by Gustave Doré.