CUPIDO NASCONDE UN PUGNALE

CUPID HIDES A DAGGER is a collection of poems written by Mina Panaro.

A versatile artist, she began her career as a civil lawyer but went on to gain many years of experience as a cultural-events organizer, author, presenter, and actress.

She has been writing poetry since she was very young, as well as painting. She has written and performed theatrical works such as *“Marilyn and Ella,” “Maria Callas: Loves and Passions Set to the Arias of Giacomo Puccini,” “Masks and Dreams,”* later reworked as *“Take Off the Mask,”* and *“At the Doge’s Palace,”* in the tradition of Commedia dell’Arte. In July 2026, in Massafra, she won both first prize and the Audience Award at the *“Short Theatre Festival”* with the comedy *“Where There’s Pleasure, There’s No Loss,”* which she wrote and performed. She is also the creator and protagonist of countless themed literary readings.

This book marks her official debut in the world of writing. Its title immediately invites readers to wonder what the author intended to convey.

Although the book speaks of love and the pitfalls that accompany it, it explores the theme of existential dichotomy in all its facets.

At the end, it includes an appendix of poems in the Mottolese dialect—the author lives and works in Mottola, although she was born in Massafra—as linguistic research into her roots is one of the author’s own priorities, as well as that of the Carlo Schiavone Cultural Circle, of which she is president. This is demonstrated by the ten consecutive editions of a summer festival devoted to the dialects, customs, and traditions of the past, entitled *“A LI CINGH' P'TRODD,”* held every summer in Mottola, where she serves as artistic director, creator, and presenter.

On Friday, October 16, in Martina Franca, poet and writer Rosa Maria Vinci will engage in dialogue with Mina Panaro. Readings will be curated and performed by poets and writers Maria Carmela Ricci and Rosa Cioffi, with vocal performances by tenor Gianni Nasti.

The presentation is being organized by Attorney Luca Conserva, in his capacity as president of the “Artisans’ Mutual Aid Association”, and will take place at the association’s prestigious headquarters, in the historic heart of Martina Franca, in Piazza Plebiscito, at the Palazzo dell’Università.

The building was granted in 1478 by King Ferdinand of Aragon, who went down in history under the name Ferrante.
King Ferrante is also famous for the “Conspiracy of the Barons,” attempted at the “Castle of Bad Counsel” in Miglionico in 1485.

It is therefore a venue of exceptional historical and artistic significance, perfectly suited to hosting an event of undeniable cultural importance—one that is sure to inspire powerful and moving emotions.

The publisher of the poetry collection “CUPID HIDES A DAGGER” is Gian Carlo Lisi, for “G.C.L. EDIZIONI.”

Friday, October 16
6:30 p.m.
Palazzo dell’Università
– Assembly Hall –
Piazza Plebiscito, 17
Martina Franca (TA)

Free admission