In the heart of Poggiardo, a literary evening unfolds that reaches far beyond the piazza. Gennaro Sangiuliano brings his critically acclaimed work Il Sultano. La vita di Recep Tayyip Erdogan to open the festival Il Mondo che ci tocca. Voci per capire il presente, a gathering designed to decode the forces shaping our contemporary world. The conversation, moderated by author Margherita Zappatore with contributions from Alberto Carluccio, promises a rare opportunity to explore the rise of one of the world's most controversial leaders through the lens of a veteran journalist and author.
A Biography That Reads Like a Political Thriller
Sangiuliano's portrait of Erdogan is not a hagiography or a hit piece—it's a carefully researched narrative that traces the Turkish president's journey from Istanbul's working-class neighborhoods to the pinnacle of power. The book unpacks the complex interplay of religion, nationalism, and personal ambition that has defined Turkey's transformation over the past two decades. Through Sangiuliano's storytelling, readers encounter the man who bridged East and West, secular tradition and Islamic identity, democratic rhetoric and authoritarian practice.
What makes this presentation particularly compelling is the dialogue format. Zappatore, herself an accomplished writer, brings her own perspective to the conversation, asking the questions that cut through political spin and historical mythology. Carluccio's interventions add layers of context, connecting Turkey's trajectory to broader Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dynamics that directly touch Puglia and southern Italy.
Why This Story Matters Here
Poggiardo may seem an unlikely stage for geopolitical discourse, but that's precisely what makes the festival's mission so vital. Small-town Italy is not insulated from global currents—migration, economic shifts, and cultural exchange flow through these communities as powerfully as through any metropolis. Understanding figures like Erdogan means understanding the forces that shape migration patterns across the Mediterranean, the energy politics that affect Italian households, and the delicate balance between secularism and religious identity that resonates across European societies.
The festival's title, Il Mondo che ci tocca (The World That Touches Us), captures this interconnectedness perfectly. This isn't abstract theory discussed in distant capitals; it's lived reality explored in a Pugliese piazza where local and global meet.
An Evening of Ideas and Exchange
Expect more than a one-way lecture. The format encourages questions, reflections, and debate—a chance to engage directly with an author who has spent decades covering international affairs and Italian politics. The atmosphere in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II during these cultural evenings carries a special energy: the warm southern night, neighbors gathering after dinner, visitors discovering that Puglia's cultural life extends far beyond its beaches and masserie.
- Arrive early to secure a good seat—these festival events draw crowds from across the region
- Bring a notebook if you're the type who likes to capture insights and questions as they arise
- Plan to linger afterward; the best conversations often happen when the formal program ends and people gather in small clusters
- Explore Poggiardo's historic center before or after—the Palazzo Baronale and Chiesa Matrice are just steps away
- Consider making a dinner reservation at one of the town's traditional trattorie to complete the evening
Beyond the Book
This opening event sets the tone for the entire festival, which brings diverse voices to Poggiardo to illuminate the present moment. It's a reminder that culture and intellect thrive in unexpected places, that small towns can host big ideas, and that understanding our world requires curiosity that crosses borders. Whether you're a political junkie, a casual reader, or simply someone who enjoys stimulating conversation under the stars, this presentation offers a window into one of the most significant political stories of our era.
The evening represents what cultural festivals do best: create spaces where complexity is welcomed, where nuance matters, and where a book becomes a bridge between author and audience, between Turkey and Puglia, between history and the unfolding present.