Mana Chuma Teatro has been selected among the 33 social and cultural enterprises from Southern Italy to participate in the project Sofigreen – Social Finance for Social Greening – a training and support programme aimed at transitioning its operational activities and artistic practices towards ecological sustainability.
Led by the Fondazione Messina and co-funded by the European Union, the Sofigreen project seeks to enhance the sustainability of processes and activities of beneficiary enterprises, improving their capacity to attract investments for the green transition while expanding their partnership networks.
The selected enterprises come from various productive sectors, ranging from social agriculture to culture and sustainable logistics. Mana Chuma was selected for its commitment in disadvantaged neighbourhoods and areas, using theatre and performance arts in general as a tool to explore themes such as circular economy and social innovation.
Mana Chuma Teatro has long embarked on its journey towards ecological sustainability. For instance, the last two editions of the EPIC (Performative Experiences of Civic Engagement) festival were organised with a strong emphasis on green practices.
All the performances featuring in EPIC Bova (July 2024) took place at sunset, an eco-friendly scheduling choice that leveraged the magic of natural light instead of artificial lighting. Meanwhile, EPIC Reggio (September 2024) was held at the Parco Diffuso della Conoscenza e del Benessere. The scenic setups were designed with minimal energy consumption, and a free shuttle service was provided for attendees to discourage the use of private vehicles. These choices reflect a commitment to environmentally and socially responsible practices.
Additionally, Mana Chuma selects second-hand costumes for stage use. Scenography is built with reuse and recycling of materials or repurposed objects. When possible, train travel is prioritised for travels, and organic and locally sourced food products are chosen when hosting guests and staff.
The association intends to continue experimenting with low-energy practices and adopting innovative approaches in this direction. This makes its participation in the Sofigreen project timely and particularly meaningful.
