Europe-XRoads: Crossing Cultures

Crossing Cultures explores the vibrant zone of contact that emerges where two cultural worlds meet—a space shaped by encounters between people, imaginations, sounds, and lived experiences.

The evening opens with a short film by directors Samba Ngum and Emilio Tamburini. Black Vesuvio tells a story of personal identification with Naples’ iconic volcano, seen through the eyes of Samba Ngum—a Gambian entrepreneur and musician who came to Italy for love. After finding work at the Vesuvius National Park, Samba faces, on one hand, the racism of certain tourists and, on the other, a growing affection for the volcano itself: powerful yet forced into silence… until the day it erupts.

Following the screening, Gianpaolo Chiriacò will moderate a conversation with the two directors.

The evening continues in Waag’s historic cellar with a performance by the duo Sophia Domancich and Napoleon Maddox, embodying yet another meeting at the crossroads of musical worlds and identities. A classically trained pianist devoted to experimentation—from jazz to avant-rock in the spirit of Robert Wyatt—Sophia Domancich weaves soundscapes around the vocal acrobatics of Napoleon Maddox, an African American rapper, poet, and beatboxer who emerged with the band IsWhat?!.

A collaboration driven by sonic exploration and a tribute to the great African American composers.

18:00 h / Waag +3 – screening of the documentary “Black Vesuvio” (EN with IT subtitles) and talk with directors Samba Ngum and Emilio Tamburini

20:00 h / Waag -1 – Sophia Domancich & Napoleon Maddox live concert

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