23 July 2025
Palmi, 21 July 2025 – Villa Repaci, the historic home of the writer Leonida Repaci and his wife Albertina, has officially been reborn, and since Saturday it has returned to life as a shared cultural space thanks to the project “The Gust”.
Promoted by Calabria Acting School (SRC) together withPrometeus Association and toNatale Princi Agricultural Company, the project transforms the heart of Pietrosa into a place of memory, beauty and future: a permanent laboratory of culture, art, nature and inclusion.
The very well attended inaugural ceremony was attended by representatives of local and regional institutions. «Villa Repaci will not just be a museum, but a center of ideas and activities, open to the territory», declared the mayor Giuseppe Ranuccio, also announcing a financing of 200,000 euros for the reconstruction of the access road.
The project takes its name from The Gust, Repaci's early work, and aims to offer art workshops, nature trails, activities for schools, cultural residencies and social moments. The objective is clear: to make Villa Repaci a engine of cultural and social regeneration.
Great recognition went to the work behind the scenes. Saverio Petitto, president of the Prometeus Association, gave special thanks Prince Christmas, who coordinated over 60 volunteers in the restoration work of the villa. “Without his efforts, none of this would have been possible,” he said.
Also Walter Cordopatri, director of SRC, underlined the importance of collective work: «We have created something that honors Leonida and Albertina Repaci. We will continue to take care of this space for future generations."
The inauguration was enriched by theatrical and musical performances curated by SRC students, including Albertina and I, between dream and reality, and the interpretation of Albertina by the actress Federica Sottile, accompanied by the dancer Chiara Avenoso. To close the evening, the performance of the song The evening of miracles by Lucio Dalla, performed by Paolo Cutrupi with the supervision of the teacher Franco Dattola.
There was no lack of written culture: the book was presented during the event Pietrosa tells the story, edited by Rocco Militano, Repaci's great-grandson, who also introduced the new ones hiking routes in the area.
To underline the value of the initiative, the words of theHon. Giuseppe Mattiani: «Villa Repaci is a cultural heritage that speaks to the present and builds the future. The Calabria Region will continue to support authentic projects like this."