Sapore di Mare, Forte dei Marmi | ITALY: Love It and/or LEAVE It

Reflections on identity, belonging, and the evolving meaning of home.

Italy: Love It and/or Leave It was the title of one conversation at the fifth edition of Sapore di Mare Festival in Forte dei Marmi. It was not a panel or a performance, but a collective reflection on how we relate to a country that continues to shape us, even when our lives have taken us elsewhere.

We spoke about identity, distance, and belonging. About how collaboration today often unfolds outside of fixed roles, beyond disciplines, and without the need for clear definition. We touched on lessici familiari, coriandoli, and the traces we carry through memory, language, and movement.

For me, the discussion resonated deeply. Living abroad has given me both proximity and perspective, and reminded me that belonging is not a fixed condition but a practice — one that requires curiosity, care, and renewal. Thinking about Italy from a global vantage point has also sharpened my sense of what cultural leadership can be: connected, adaptive, and grounded in shared purpose.

Curated and hosted by Victoria Genzini, Sapore di Mare has become a space where ideas and generations meet. Set between the sea and the mountains of Versilia, it captures a spirit that feels both intimate and expansive. It was a privilege to be part of that conversation.