Paolo Ranalli, author of the book 50 Great Ideas – Water (Dedalo Editions, in Italian), in conversation with Michele Mossa.
Water is a precious resource for life on Earth, an invaluable asset. Today more than ever—amid water scarcity, frequent droughts and floods, and increasingly warmer oceans—talking about water is crucial. As a limited resource, it is urgent to adopt sustainable measures. How can we protect its sources and face the challenges ahead? Is it possible to imagine a future in which water is managed responsibly?
Lectorinfabula, European Cultural Festival has been held every year since the third week of September and is dedicated to exploring the themes of contemporary society: politics, culture, economy, science, and social issues. The numerous events are free and open to everyone: debates, discussions, book presentations and interviews, photography and satire exhibitions, workshops and school activities, film screenings, readings and live performances, featuring guests, opinion leaders, journalists, and intellectuals from all over Europe.
Words and ideas with international protagonists from the worlds of culture, politics, and information. More than 200 speakers, authors, journalists, scholars, and intellectuals from across Europe gather every year for a genuine exchange of ideas—to discuss and debate the festival’s themes, to go beyond the boundaries of identity, and to contribute to the greater project of European cultural integration.
Over the years, the festival has hosted prominent figures from the Italian and European political, cultural, and media scenes. Yet, far from being a mere showcase of more or less famous personalities, Lectorinfabula remains an extraordinary event marked by exceptional youth engagement, with one hundred volunteers and the daily participation of 5,000 students from schools and universities.
Founded in 2005 as a small initiative within the protective walls of the cloister of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Conversano, the festival has since become a cultural landmark for a much wider area. In recent years, Lectorinfabula has grown considerably in many respects, achieving undeniable success in terms of audience numbers, while fostering the involvement of diverse communities and promoting collaboration among different local realities.
After experimenting with events in the theaters of Corato and Mola di Bari, as well as in the schools and libraries of towns such as Barletta, Noci, Noicattaro, Modugno, Monopoli, and Polignano a Mare, the 2025 edition marks the transformation of Lectorinfabula into a true “widespread festival”, with broader participation across the South-Eastern territory, through the involvement of the city of Bari and the municipalities of Conversano, Putignano, Rutigliano, Castellana Grotte, and Turi.
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LIC - Coastal Engineering Laboratory
