The fourteenth edition of Roses, Books, Music, Wine continues on Friday 16th May in the rose garden of San Giovanni Park in Trieste. It is a cultural festival promoted by the University of Trieste and the social cooperative Agricola Monte San Pantaleone. This year’s edition explores the theme of power: a power that nurtures harmony and beauty, that recognises the harshness and imperfections of life, but continues to place its trust in it. In short, a different kind of power... a force that heals and cares, that listens and notices the details, that breaks through isolation and crosses boundaries.

The programme begins at 15:30 with an architectural walk led by Giulio Polita of ArTE aps – Architecture for the Ecosustainable Transition, through the historic buildings of the former Provincial Psychiatric Hospital and their transformation over time.

At 17:15, Nicoletta Ramella Pezza will take to the stage in the rose garden to discuss her book La botanica dei profumi (the botany of perfumes, Guido Tommasi Editore, 2024), a journey through the scents that delight our sense of smell — roses above all.

The highlight of the day comes at 18:00 with a conversation around Come si esprime un desiderio (how a wish is expressed), a novel by Odette Copat published by Bompiani just over a week ago: a lively, rhythmical, and moving book full of real life, including its struggles and pain, that invites reflection without ever being didactic. On Friday, the author will be in conversation with Alessandra Galmonte, lecturer in Psychology at the University of Trieste. The talk will be moderated by journalist Francesca Terranova.

Following this, for the Rose Wine section, two women will once again take the spotlight in a conversation titled A Winemaker Between Two Lands: Isonzo and Collio. Elisabetta Bracco, from Brazzano di Cormons — winemaker, oenologist, and agronomist with studies in Udine and Bordeaux — will speak with Simonetta Lorigliola, journalist and expert in material culture. Bracco’s successful challenge was to bring the highest standards of oenology to these lands, with respect for both the local history and the environment.

At 19:30, the children’s choir Piccolo Coro Per un Amico (small choir for a friend), directed by Aglaia Merkel Bertoldi, will take to the stage. Unique in its kind in Trieste, the choir promotes vocal music as a way to engage both singers and audiences with universal human values, an aim reflected in its long-standing relationship with the humanitarian organisation Doctors with Africa – CUAMM.

To conclude the evening, around 20:00, a new addition to this year’s edition: a walk in the footsteps of bats with Cindy Salvemini, a student at the University of Trieste and volunteer with the Bat World Italy – Bat Emergency Rescue. As the sun sets, participants will discover the ecological value of these night-time guardians of our skies — and even listen to their ‘voices.’

In case of bad weather, all events will be held at the Franca and Franco Basaglia Theatre.

During festival days, lunch and dinner will be available at the Il Posto delle Fragole bar and restaurant, which will also offer takeaway options from the menu. Booking is recommended: +39 040 578777.

The bookstall will be curated by the independent bookshop Minerva.