Festival dell'argomento a piacere | Anteprima

**A festival where the guests choose the topic they want to talk about, without a defined thematic framework, but above all beyond titles, roles, and professions.** A two-day event to explore the passions, hobbies, and interests of guests from the Italian cultural scene. The "Festival of Free Choice Topics," directed by journalist **Tommaso Labate**, debuts in Roccella Jonica (RC) on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, with a preview featuring **Carlo Cottarelli** and **Makkox**, and extends an invitation for the first edition in June 2025.

Who says an economist can't take the stage and talk to the audience about pop music, or a cartoonist can't give a lesson on science fiction? We all have topics we are passionate about and excel in beyond our work and professional specializations; in Roccella Jonica, they have come up with a festival that starts right here: giving space to the unexpected passions of big names in the Italian cultural scene.

The "Festival of Free Choice Topics," directed by journalist and Radio 2 voice Tommaso Labate and produced by Elastica, is promoted by the Municipality of Roccella Jonica, launching a preview on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26 at the former Minims Convent: a taste over two evenings, with free admission, of what awaits audiences in June 2025 with the first edition of the event, which will be spread over three whole days of engagements.

In this festival, the guests choose the topic they want to talk about, without a defined thematic framework, but importantly, beyond titles, roles, and professions. A two-day event to showcase the passions, hobbies, and interests of personalities well-known to the general public.

**It begins on Friday, October 25 at 6 PM with Carlo Cottarelli and a discussion on "Pop Music," with a surprise musical guest.** The economist explains his choice for his "free choice topic": "Apart from economics and Inter, what they call 'light' music is one of the things I’m most interested in. I love singing, accompanying myself – poorly – with the guitar, and I'm like a jukebox: I play a bit of everything, especially Italian singer-songwriters.”

**The event continues on Saturday, October 26 at 6 PM with Makkox and "Science Fiction."** "I chose science fiction because I like it: it seems a coherent motivation for a festival dedicated to a 'free choice topic.' If the event had been dedicated to 'something you hate,' I would have definitely chosen politics,” jokes Makkox.

“In a time when everything is focused on hyper-specialization, what can be more beautiful than rediscovering the old 'theme of your choice'? This is how the idea of inviting great experts in their fields – Cottarelli in economics, Makkox in drawing – to express themselves not in their specialty, but in a topic of their choice, was born – explain the organizers – Today everyone redraws their horizons based on the continuous questioning we get from life and social media: we believe it's beautiful and a bit liberating to rediscover the old dear free-choice question that – as truly brilliant teachers taught – was the most difficult of questions, the one that allowed you to express yourself and be evaluated at your best.”

**Admission to the two preview evenings of the "Festival of Free Choice Topics" is free, by reservation at the link below.**
Web: bit.ly/409pyly