Gigi Riva, a journalist and writer from Bergamo, spent many years as a correspondent in the Balkans during the 1990s, where he closely followed the conflicts and met many of their key figures. Years later, in 2016, combining the precision of a historian with the sensitivity of a storyteller, he wrote Faruk’s Last Penalty. A Story of Football and War, reconstructing an event that was not only about sport but also marked the destiny of an entire people.

Amid the tragic and violent breakup of Yugoslavia, a missed penalty kick became the symbol of a country’s implosion. The man who missed that decisive shot was Faruk Hadžibegić, captain of Yugoslavia’s last united national team, on June 30, 1990, in Florence, against Maradona’s Argentina. The stage adaptation, written by the author himself in the form of a monologue, and the collaboration with Teatro Caverna, led Damiano Grasselli, actor and artistic director of the company, to bring it to the stage. The performance Faruk’s Last Penalty is based on real and dramatic events, highlighting the recurring human need to find a scapegoat. As always, as in every war, someone must be blamed. The casus belli of 1914 was Gavrilo Princip; in 1990, no one had yet fired a shot—at least not literally. A smoking gun was needed: what better occasion than a missed penalty kick in the quarter-finals of a World Cup?

The war in the former Yugoslavia is thus told from a profoundly human perspective—the weight of individual responsibility within the larger design of History. A line divides the world in two: the private from the historical, the intimate from the intimidating. “We loved our people,” cried Gavrilo Princip during his trial for killing the Archduke of Austria and his wife. Faruk’s words seem to echo his: “I have always only ever felt Yugoslav.” Between these two sentences lies the entire tragedy of 20th-century wars.

The performance invites the audience to immerse themselves in a page of history that is not so distant and still deeply relevant—while also entering the life of a man, his inner trial against himself, and the judgment imposed on him by his own people, as in the streets and in the stadiums, human lives have already become nothing more than moving targets.

Title: L'ultimo rigore di Faruk

A performance by and with Damiano Grasselli
Based on the novel Faruk’s Last Penalty by Gigi Riva
Stage adaptation by Gigi Riva
Assistant director Franco Zadra
Artistic collaboration Viviana Magoni
Video Stefano Battarola
Organization Francesca Villa
Technical direction Adriano Salvi
Produced by Teatro Caverna

Mario Calabresi comes to gres art 671 to present his new book “Alzarsi all’alba”. The event is part of the project “Librai per un anno”, in collaboration with Fiera Librai and Fondazione Pesenti.

We live in an age of convenience, where everything is designed to appear easy. We’ve deluded ourselves into thinking that every goal can be achieved with minimal effort, that shortcuts are the preferred path, and that speed is synonymous with success.
Yet for millions of people, hard work is not only a daily companion but an essential part of life — “a daughter of duty, responsibility, and love for one’s craft.”

It’s the young coach who teaches children the beauty of perseverance; the husband who has cared for his ailing wife for 26 years; the father who runs ultramarathons because it’s the only way he can feel close to the daughter he lost; the woman who, at 89, brings flowers to her husband’s grave every morning, cleans the cemetery bathrooms so others will find them welcoming, and then rushes to bake focaccias at her restaurant.
It’s also the piano teacher who returned to his father’s vineyards to honor a life of sacrifice, the art restorer who cultivates patience to preserve beauty — all those who belong to the “dawn patrol” that keeps the world running.

“You have to love hard work,” said Veronica, a young Paralympic athlete, before challenging the sand and the icy sea in her training. Her bold and countercultural words were the spark that ignited this book.

In an age of instant gratification, Mario Calabresi invites us to rediscover the value of time, patience, and perseverance through a mosaic of lives that deserve to be seen and acknowledged — even when hard work is not a choice but an act of profound love.
With the attentive and empathetic eye of a great journalist, he takes us on a new journey — one full of hope, free of rhetoric yet rich in humanity.

Mario Calabresi, journalist and writer, is the director and co-founder of the podcast company Chora Media and author of the weekly newsletter Altre/Storie (mariocalabresi.it).
He was formerly the editor-in-chief of La Stampa and la Repubblica.
For Mondadori, he has published Spingendo la notte più in là (2007), La fortuna non esiste (2009), Cosa tiene accese le stelle (2011), Non temete per noi, la nostra vita sarà meravigliosa (2015), La mattina dopo (2019), Quello che non ti dicono (2020), Una volta sola (2022), and A occhi aperti (2023).

Fourth and final event of “The Culture of Peace. Encounters with Nobel Laureates and International Leaders, the public program of de bello.” On September 28, gres art 671 will host a special event with Cecilia Sala, journalist and author, one of the most insightful and courageous voices in contemporary journalism. An opportunity to explore today’s conflicts and the possibilities for peace, through the lens of someone reporting from the frontlines. During the event, Cecilia Sala will present her new book I figli dell’odio (Children of Hate, Mondadori), which tells true stories of young people living within deep generational fractures — from Israel’s radicalization to the destruction of Palestine and the collapse of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” centered in Iran. The event is promoted by Fondazione Pesenti with the support of Italmobiliare and in collaboration with Molte Fedi.

de bello: The Culture of Peace. Nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671, proudly promoted by the Fondazione Pesenti, is pleased to present a series of transformative events that will unite nobel peace prize laureates and distinguished international figures, all dedicated to advancing global peace, reconciliation, and human rights. As a key space for both reflection and action, gres art 671 seeks to transcend its traditional role as an art venue, positioning itself as a dynamic international hub for cultural exchange, diplomacy, and peacebuilding.

These events feature live discussions, talks, and panel sessions, allowing the audience to engage directly with these distinguished figures, learn from their experiences, and reflect on how to contribute to global peace and justice. This initiative aligns with the upcoming exhibition de bello: notes on war and peace, which provides a powerful exploration of the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of conflict through contemporary art. By connecting art with themes of peace and war, gres art 671 will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue, not only within Italy but across the globe, bridging diverse cultures and voices committed to the ideals of peace and understanding.

de bello: The Culture of Peace.
Nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671

Third event of “The Culture of Peace. Conversations with Nobel Laureates and International Leaders. The Public Program of de bello. noteof war and peace". On September 14 at gres art 671, we will have the honor of hosting Jody Williams and Kailash Satyarthi, two Nobel Peace Prize laureates and two key figures in the defense of human rights. From the fight against landmines to the protection of children and against child labor, their journeys tell the story of the power of civic engagement and collective action.

de bello: The Culture of Peace. Nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671, proudly promoted by the Fondazione Pesenti, is pleased to present a series of transformative events that will unite nobel peace prize laureates and distinguished international figures, all dedicated to advancing global peace, reconciliation, and human rights. As a key space for both reflection and action, gres art 671 seeks to transcend its traditional role as an art venue, positioning itself as a dynamic international hub for cultural exchange, diplomacy, and peacebuilding. These events feature live discussions, talks, and panel sessions, allowing the audience to engage directly with these distinguished figures, learn from their experiences, and reflect on how to contribute to global peace and justice. This initiative aligns with the upcoming exhibition de bello: notes on war and peace, which provides a powerful exploration of the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of conflict through contemporary art. By connecting art with themes of peace and war, gres art 671 will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue, not only within Italy but across the globe, bridging diverse cultures and voices committed to the ideals of peace and understanding.

de bello: The Culture of Peace.
Nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671

de bello: The Culture of Peace. Nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671, proudly promoted by the Fondazione Pesenti, is pleased to present a series of transformative events that will unite nobel peace prize laureates and distinguished international figures, all dedicated to advancing global peace, reconciliation, and human rights. As a key space for both reflection and action, gres art 671 seeks to transcend its traditional role as an art venue, positioning itself as a dynamic international hub for cultural exchange, diplomacy, and peacebuilding. This initiative aligns with the upcoming exhibition de bello: notes on war and peace, which provides a powerful exploration of the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of conflict through contemporary art. By connecting art with themes of peace and war, gres art 671 will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue, not only within Italy but across the globe, bridging diverse cultures and voices committed to the ideals of peace and understanding.

These events will feature live discussions, talks, and panel sessions, allowing the audience to engage directly with these distinguished figures, learn from their experiences, and reflect on how to contribute to global peace and justice.

Second event of “The Culture of Peace. Conversations with Nobel Laureates and International Leaders. The Public Program of de bello. noteof war and peace".
On June 22 at gres art 671, the series of talks dedicated to reflecting on war, peace, and human rights continues.

The focus of this event will be Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Yazidi activist, and survivor of ISIS captivity.
Nadia has turned her pain into a powerful voice in defense of victims of sexual violence and persecution, bringing her testimony before the United Nations and around the world.

Her global commitment to justice and human dignity makes her one of the most influential figures in the fight for contemporary human rights.

A unique opportunity to hear a story of courage, resilience, and hope.

de bello: art for peace
nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671

de bello: art for peace. nobel laureates in dialogue at gres art 671, proudly promoted by the Fondazione Pesenti, is pleased to present a series of transformative events that will unite nobel peace prize laureates and distinguished international figures, all dedicated to advancing global peace, reconciliation, and human rights. As a key space for both reflection and action, gres art 671 seeks to transcend its traditional role as an art venue, positioning itself as a dynamic international hub for cultural exchange, diplomacy, and peacebuilding. This initiative aligns with the upcoming exhibition de bello: notes on war and peace, which provides a powerful exploration of the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of conflict through contemporary art. By connecting art with themes of peace and war, gres art 671 will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue, not only within Italy but across the globe, bridging diverse cultures and voices committed to the ideals of peace and understanding.

These events will feature live discussions, talks, and panel sessions, allowing the audience to engage directly with these distinguished figures, learn from their experiences, and reflect on how to contribute to global peace and justice.

The first event features a dialogue between Tawakkul Karman, Yemeni journalist, human rights activist, and the first Arab woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, and Samia Nkrumah, a prominent figure in Pan-African unity and an influential voice in the global movement for African unity.

Lebanese sound artist Mohamed Choucair, one of the 37 artists featured in the exhibition 'de bello. notes on war and peace,' will treat the audience to a live sound performance created using recordings from war-torn environments, evocatively titled 'Don't Look Up.

What if we challenged ourselves to a performance of silence?
Inspired by Marina Abramović, let’s explore nonverbal communication and discover the power of saying so much with so little.

The activities and visual paths are designed for families with children aged 3 to 5 years old, with approaches and language suitable for young children, to introduce the new generations to contemporary art.

L’obiettivo è tracciare il filo ideale che unisce il passato al presente e le eroine delle opere di Donizetti (nell’interpretazione paradigmatica di Maria Callas) a un progetto di Marina Abramović, donna-simbolo dell’arte contemporanea, come la Callas prima di lei, alla quale ha dedicato Seven Deaths, performance in cui convivono arte visiva, opera lirica e tensione dialettica tra l’evocazione di Maria Callas e l’immanenza della stessa Abramović, donne in cui vita e arte convergono.

Questa iniziativa si propone come nuova occasione di approfondimento legata alle suggestioni che provengono dalle opere donizettiane e al fascino che l’opera continua a esercitare sugli artisti di oggi.

L’attrice bergamasca Matilde Facheris interpreterà inoltre un monologo inedito scritto da Alberto Mattioli e dedicato a Maria Callas, mentre il soprano Eleonora Boaretto, accompagnata dal pianista Giulio Zappa, eseguirà pagine di Donizetti.

This is a unique opportunity to meet up close with one of the most influential and celebrated exponents of the contemporary scene and together trace the evolution of performance art.

Following this appointment, the exhibition will be officially opened.

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