by InTrieste
On the evening of August 30, a group of people will gather in Piazza Tommaseo in Trieste, preparing to embark on the latest leg of Progetto e—a months-long cultural initiative stretching across Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. This ambitious project, supported by Nova Gorica-Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025 and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, is set to symbolically represent Europe’s past, present, and future. The initiative will take participants on a literal and metaphorical journey along Europe’s borders, examining the migration stories that have shaped its very identity.
Led by the association vicino/lontano, Progetto e will visit 27 locations—one for each European Union country. Using theater, dance, and cinema, the project will delve into migration’s historical and ongoing impact on Europe. The centerpiece of the project, On the Paths of Europe, a performance directed by Mattia Cason, will be performed throughout the journey. Cason, a choreographer, director, and anthropologist, will collaborate with Syrian writer and refugee Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mun’im and actor Alessandro Conte.
Cultural and Historical Exploration Through Art
In Trieste, the program will start with a guided exploration of the city’s historic landmarks, led by Gian Andrea Franchi, founder of the human rights association Linea d’Ombra. Participants will walk through the city, retracing the footsteps of countless migrants who have passed through Trieste’s gates over the centuries. This walk will culminate in a discussion at Teatro Miela titled “The Balkan Route.” Prominent European intellectuals, including historian Claudio Magris, Egidio Ivetić, and anthropologist Roberta Altin, will discuss the Balkan Peninsula’s pivotal role in European history and contemporary migration, encouraging reflections on Europe’s evolving relationship with its borderlands.
The theatrical performance On the Paths of Europe will take center stage later that evening. The play will traverse different eras, moving fluidly from ancient myth to modern history, interweaving narratives of migration from different times to illustrate the central role of human movement in Europe’s development. Performed in multiple languages, the production will reflect the linguistic diversity of the regions it passes through. Cason’s choreography, along with Conte’s performance and Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mun’im’s poetry, will highlight the deeply human experience of displacement.
A Unique Reflection on Europe’s Ancient and Modern Migrants
For Cason, the project will go beyond contemporary refugee crises. “In Trieste, we will talk about contemporary migrants and the Balkan Route,” Cason says, “But in Aquileia, we will go even further—back in time and deeper into space—to explore the ancient migrations from the Near East and Alexandria that influenced the early church in Aquileia. These migrants are so ancient that we no longer think of them as migrants, but as part of our identity and tradition.”
This shift from the present to ancient times will culminate in Aquileia, a key city during the Roman Empire, where Progetto e will hold its final stop on September 1. The day will include a guided tour of the ancient river port and the museum, led by restorer Daniele Pasini. One of the project’s central discussions, titled “Afro-Asian Aquileia,” will bring together scholars such as cultural anthropologist Gian Paolo Gri and theologian Andrea Bellavite to discuss the influence of Afro-Asian migrations on the development of European culture.
A Project Rooted in Europe’s Future
Progetto e aims to present migration as a fundamental aspect of European history, using art and dialogue to bridge the gap between Europe’s historical and contemporary identities. The project invites audiences to recognize migration as a force that unites Europe, rather than divides it.
Cason explains, “The first step to building a more united Europe is to approach today’s migrations with curiosity and wonder. Migrants today are part of the same story that built Europe in the past.” This sentiment reflects the broader mission of GO!2025 and the cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, which straddle the border between Italy and Slovenia and share a future as the European Capital of Culture.
After the official journey concludes in Aquileia on September 1, a rescheduled performance will take place in Bottazzo on Friday. Participants will gather at the Val Rosandra Nature Reserve Visitor Center for a guided exploration of the area before the final performance of On the Paths of Europe at sunset. The experience will culminate with a reflective hike back to the Visitor Center.
