by InTrieste
Interview: FVG councilor for education, labor, and research, Alessia Rosolen; FVG councilor for environment, Fabio Scoccimarro
Trieste will once again host the Barcolana Sea Summit, now in its fifth edition, from October 6 to 11, as part of the Barcolana57 regatta presented by Generali. The summit has become a fixture in the city’s cultural and scientific calendar, bringing together policymakers, scientists, students, and businesses to discuss the protection of seas and inland waters and the role of the so-called “blue economy.”
This year’s program places particular emphasis on the theme of “Underwater,” exploring regulatory, economic, and environmental dimensions of the marine world. Panels will feature industry leaders, government representatives, and academics.
“The importance of continuing to discuss water protection in a holistic vision that includes seas, oceans, rivers and lakes, while involving new generations and encouraging dialogue among businesses, institutions, and citizens, is at the heart of the Sea Summit,” said Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, which organizes the Barcolana regatta.
Regional leaders also highlighted the economic and cultural importance of the sea for Friuli Venezia Giulia. “Thanks to this invaluable resource, the region has developed in ways unimaginable just a few decades ago,” said Massimiliano Fedriga, president of Friuli Venezia Giulia. “But it is a heritage we must protect, while pursuing sustainable development that integrates human activity. That is why the regional administration is strengthening the blue economy in collaboration with maritime institutions, research centers, and private enterprises.”
A Week of Events
The Sea Summit will open with preview events on October 6 and 7 in Trieste’s Piazza Unità d’Italia, with contributions from regional environmental agencies and local institutions. More than 600 students are already involved in educational programs organized in partnership with Arpa FVG, Bioma, and the WWF Marine Protected Area of Miramare.
On October 8, the Generali Convention Center will host the third edition of “Energy and Climate,” an event focused on climate change, electrification, and digital energy systems, organized by AEIT FVG and the regional government. Later that day, the summit’s formal opening will highlight the role of education in environmental protection, featuring the United World College of the Adriatic, which will inaugurate its academic year during the summit.
Fabio Scoccimarro, regional councillor for the environment, will introduce discussions on river management, with particular attention to the Tagliamento River. Pitch presentations will also provide an overview of the state of seas and rivers.
Other events include a workshop on talent recruitment in the blue economy, a forum on urban forests and public well-being hosted by the Carabinieri, and a session dedicated to underwater noise pollution, part of an Italy-Croatia research initiative.
Culture Meets Science
Alongside scientific debates, the summit will also use art and performance to engage the public. On October 9, the Generali Convention Center will stage Fiumi Scomparsi (“Vanished Rivers”), a theatrical production by Marco Paolini with musician Paolo Fresu and director Rajeev Badhan. The piece combines theater, live music, and projections to explore Trieste’s buried rivers and their environmental and social significance.
During the Barcolana week, the façade of Trieste’s City Hall will also become a screen for An Ocean’s Song, a video-mapping project presented by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Deep Blue Racing Team, and 11th Hour Racing. Narrated by Italian actors Claudio Santamaria and Greta Scarano, the projection will take viewers on a journey through the depths of the ocean with images collected by marine researchers.
The Carabinieri Biodiversity Group will also present educational activities at the Generali Convention Center, aimed at schools and families, highlighting the importance of protecting ecosystems.
With its blend of policy debates, scientific exchange, student engagement, and cultural initiatives, the Barcolana Sea Summit continues to expand its role as a platform for dialogue on sustainability and the future of the world’s waters.
