At the Culture Action Europe conference, our Project Manager Angela Dibenedetto joined the conversation, reaffirming Materahub’s commitment to bridging local innovation and European cultural policy.
In a world shaken by climate breakdown, fragile democracies, and global unrest, one thing is clear: culture must lead the way. That was the bold message at the heart of BEYOND 2025: Being Many, the groundbreaking international conference held in Turin the first week of June 2025.
Organised by Culture Action Europe, Fondazione Fitzcarraldo, and Club Silencio, this four-day event brought together changemakers, artists, thinkers, and institutions from across Europe to ask a powerful question: How can culture become the driving force for collective change in uncertain times?
culture is not just part of the solution , it is the compass.
At Beyond 2025: Being Many, a vibrant mix of dialogues, project showcases, and hands-on workshops made one thing unmistakably clear: culture has the power to connect where politics divides, to heal where systems fail, and to inspire where hope flickers. Cultural practitioners, policymakers, and activists joined forces to show how culture isn’t just a mirror to society, it’s a driver of change. It bridges gaps, sparks collaboration across sectors, and reimagines what’s possible in fractured times.
In a world increasingly fragmented by diverse interests and complex crises, the Being Many concept championed at the conference underscored that true strength lies in plurality and collective intelligence. By giving voice to the unheard and space to the unseen, cultural initiatives empower people to reclaim their narratives, fight democratic erosion, and build futures where everyone can belong. It’s not about speaking louder — it’s about making more voices heard.
Aurora Sogna: Where Art Sparks Real Change in the Heart of Turin
A powerful, real-world example of culture-driven transformation emerged during the presentation of Aurora Sogna, an artistic residency curated by Club Silencio in Turin’s Aurora district. This initiative perfectly embodied the spirit of Being Many , showing how creativity, when rooted in community, can drive lasting social impact.
Instead of simply bringing in renowned artists to produce site-specific works, the project actively involved young, emerging talents from Turin. These creatives weren’t passive observers, they became part of the creative core, gaining hands-on experience in every stage of the process, from ideation to production. The result? A real-world learning journey that equips young artists with both technical skills and a sense of purpose. The impact didn’t stop at personal growth. Aurora Sogna aimed to transform the Aurora neighborhood — often labeled a “social periphery” — into a living canvas of community engagement and shared expression. Through participatory artistic actions, the project fostered inclusivity, strengthened social ties, and gave residents a renewed sense of ownership over their territory.
From exploratory walks through the district to co-creating installations, from photographic exhibitions to a documentary capturing the whole journey, the residency left a visible, lasting imprint. With 15 young participants, a powerful site-specific installation, and a vibrant community vernissage, Aurora Sogna showed how culture — when truly collaborative — can shape more connected, resilient, and creative cities.
The Aurora Sogna project’s success has been in part supported by Collab4HY Sustain, an EU-funded incubation project. This initiative, coordinated by Materahub, supported 15 Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) across Europe, providing them with micro-grants and mentorship. It also facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions, creating vital spaces for fostering expertise exchange and nurturing cross-European collaboration.
The success of projects like Collab4HY Sustain, and consequently initiatives like the Aurora Sogna residency, relies heavily on the expertise and vision of individuals who provide guidance and mentorship. Mercedes Giovinazzo stands out as a key figure in this ecosystem, serving as a mentor for the Club Silencio project.
Dream and Hope
What emerged in Turin is that culture has the capacity to reshape systems, not just reflect on them. The upcoming European Cultural Compass, expected by the end of 2025 from the European Commission, confirms a growing institutional awareness towards culture not just as a peripheral concern, but a strategic pillar for Europe’s future. This momentum is especially mirrored in the European Parliament’s current focus on securing stronger funding for the cultural and creative sectors in the next multiannual financial framework, particularly through programs like Erasmus+ and Creative Europe.
At the same time, crucial issues such as fair working conditions for artists, the ethical implications of AI, and universal access to cultural education are being brought to the fore.
Dream and Hope.
The dream of a more just and inclusive society, and the hope that culture, as demonstrated by every voice at the conference, will continue to be the compass we need to navigate these uncertain times.
