The statue of. was inaugurated on Friday 7 June in Massa in front of the post office Antigone in the quarryof the sculptor Francesco Siani. The work, whose creation was carried out by Marmi e Graniti d’Italia spa, is dedicated to the representation of Sophocles’ Antigone, staged by the students of the Rossi di Massa classical high school under the guidance of professor Gennaro Di Leo, who obtained a special mention at the Silver Lion for creativity in schools at the 2018 Venice Biennale. A representation of Rossi students who recited a piece from the Antigone choir and the mayor of Massa were present at the inauguration Francesco Persiani who greeted the students thus: “Today we are here for an event that marks an important chapter in the history of our city: the inauguration of the statue of Antigone. This work is more than a simple monument, it is a tribute to your extraordinary interpretation of Antigone, which was able to breathe new life into a timeless classic. Your performance, set in our historic marble quarries, inspired the Greek tragedy outside the textbooks, making it a tangible and vibrant reality for the entire community. You have passionately demonstrated that the themes explored by Sophocles are eternal, still relevant today and capable of touching the heart and mind. The statue, created by the artist Francesco Siani in 2018 who honored us with his presence and which I would like to thank on behalf of the entire city, was generously donated to us by the MGI Group, and today finds its new home in front of the Post Office . It will become a daily reminder of your impact on the cultural life of Massa, symbolizing the strength and resilience not only of Antigone, but also yours, as young artists and custodians of our cultural heritage. With today’s inauguration and future performances at the Guglielmi Theatre, you continue to weave the plot of the classic narrative, leaving an indelible mark that will inspire generations to come. I would like to thank Leo’s professor who with commitment and passion created this beautiful show that you will perform again tonight and tomorrow night at the Guglielmi As you all know, this is the school project entitled “Dramaturgy Laboratory – the Classical Theatre” directed by Professor Di Leo, with the participation of the children of the Theater Company of the Rossi high school, which is staged every year during the municipal festival ” The class goes on stage.” It made its debut in the quarry and, given the closure of Guglielmi at the time, it was also performed at the Malaspina Castle, at the San Giorgio Castle in Spezia, at the Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli, in the archaeological area of Luni and at the Greek theater of Palazzolo Acreide ( Syracuse). I encourage you to keep this passion and dedication to the art alive, reminding you that every performance you give is a priceless gift to our community. Thank you for your tireless commitment and the energy you put into each of your performances. I wish each of you a future full of successes and new, exciting artistic adventures.”
