by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Mitja Gialuz, president Barcolana; Giorgio Rossi, Trieste councilor for culture
The annual Barcolana regatta, one of the Adriatic’s most anticipated sailing events, is expanding its cultural offerings this year with a wide-ranging program of performances, exhibitions, and literary gatherings designed to bring the city more deeply into the spirit of the race.
The initiative, known as Barcolana Cultura, opens Tuesday evening with Suez – La porta di Trieste, a theatrical performance at the Teatro Stabile Sloveno featuring Sara Alzetta, Paolo Rumiz, and Ariella Reggio. It is the first of 54 community-driven events scheduled between Sept. 30 and Oct. 12, chosen from proposals submitted by local associations and cultural organizations.
The program, organized in partnership with the City of Trieste and the Fondazione CRTrieste, includes concerts, exhibitions, guided tours, and open-air performances. “The community responded with enthusiasm,” said Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, which oversees the regatta. “The initiatives reflect the spirit of the city and the cultural energy that Barcolana brings out each year.”
Among the highlights is a free concert by Italian singer Diodato, scheduled for Oct. 4 in Piazza Unità d’Italia, and the literary festival Un Mare di Racconti, curated by journalist and writer Alessandro Mezzena Lona. Beginning Oct. 6, the festival will feature a week of author talks and readings.
Art also plays a central role in the program. Cartoonist Davide Besana, known in nautical circles for his sailing-themed comics, will present La vela a fumetti, an exhibition opening Oct. 2 at the Sala Veruda of the City of Trieste. Additional shows, many with maritime themes, will showcase the work of local artists and performers in venues across the city.
For residents and visitors interested in Trieste’s lesser-known corners, the program includes opportunities to explore sites such as Kleine Berlin, the city’s World War II-era air raid tunnels. Drum circles, small concerts, and dance performances will also take place in various public spaces. A full schedule is available online, and printed guides will be distributed beginning Oct. 1 at Barcolana information points in Piazza Unità and Cavana.
This year’s edition also introduces a new initiative: the “Batiscafo Trieste” Prize for innovation in nautical design. Inspired by the pioneering submarine that carried the city’s name to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 1960, the award will honor a designer, engineer, or naval architect for forward-looking contributions to the field, with an emphasis on sustainability. The winner will receive an original work by Trieste sculptor Del Ben, created in collaboration with the historic Fonderia Artistica Pisani, during Barcolana’s official award ceremony.
Literature will have another presence in the form of Racconta la tua Barcolana, a competition hosted on the digital platform Kepown, inviting participants to submit personal stories and reflections inspired by the regatta. Entries will be judged by both a professional panel and a popular vote, with prizes awarded to the most compelling works.
Now in its 57th year, the Barcolana has grown from a local sailing competition into a large-scale event that attracts thousands of sailors and spectators from across Europe. By pairing its regatta with a robust cultural calendar, organizers hope to reinforce Trieste’s identity not only as a maritime hub but also as a center of artistic and civic life.
