Following the institutional meeting of March 25 between MUSIC4D leadership and the municipal administration, the solidarity initiative moves into full operation. A major event day in Palermo will mark the beginning of a recovery path for the community affected by the landslide.
Palermo, March 26, 2026 – A vision becomes concrete action. Following the institutional meeting held yesterday, Wednesday, March 25, between the MUSIC4D delegation and the Mayor of Niscemi, Massimiliano Conti, “AFAM4Sicily: Rebuilding through Music and Art” has officially taken shape. The initiative, promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), has been conceived to provide an ethical and supportive response to the community of Niscemi, deeply affected by the severe hydrogeological disaster that occurred at the end of January.
During the meeting—marked by close coordination between MUSIC4D leadership, the municipal administration, and remote participation from the MUR and the Directors of the Conservatories of Sassari and Cagliari—the technical framework of a creative fundraising model was defined.
This model is aimed at supporting the reconstruction of the affected area, where the landslide caused the loss of dozens of buildings and shared community spaces. In line with this mission, the Municipality of Niscemi has opened a dedicated bank account for donations. Every contribution, no matter how small, represents a meaningful act of solidarity and support.
“Music has the power to heal wounds and bring people together where words fall short”, said Mauro Visconti, Director of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory in Palermo. “Hosting this event at our Conservatory means turning art into a collective embrace for a community that wants to start again. Our hope is that AFAM4Sicily will be the first of many similar initiatives”.
The Palermo Conservatory thus takes on a leading role in coordinating the project, positioning itself as the driving force behind a systemic action that goes beyond financial aid.
“We are here in Niscemi because this is where we must (re)begin, added Giovanni Angileri, President of the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory. We take on the responsibility of giving voice to a project that is not simply a collective performance, but a narrative journey—one that, step by step, tells the story of this territory’s rebirth”.
The culmination of this solidarity initiative will take place on Thursday, April 9, at the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory in Palermo, with an entire day dedicated to Niscemi and the participation of the highest institutional authorities.
Activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the opening of a large exhibition area inside the Lapidarium Hall. Here, the public will be able to immerse themselves in a visual and sonic journey featuring artworks, musical performances, and multimedia installations jointly created by the MUSIC4D partner Conservatories and Sicilian Fine Arts Academies. This interactive space—at the heart of the MADH network and the ADH project—will serve as a prelude to the arrival of the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, expected for the official inauguration of the installations in the presence of Fabio Ciciliano, Extraordinary Commissioner and Head of the Civil Protection Department.
The focus will then shift to the value of institutional cooperation and the strategic presentation of the initiative. Opening remarks by the Mayor of Palermo, Roberto Lagalla, the President of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani, Fabio Ciciliano, and Minister Anna Maria Bernini will precede the technical presentation of MUSIC4D, delivered by Mauro Visconti.
Another highlight will be the immersive concert “From Morricone to Bacalov,” scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the Ferrara Hall: a sensory journey celebrating Southern Italian cinema and its timeless soundtracks. An ensemble of faculty members and students from the Sicilian AFAM system will guide the audience through themes from films that have shaped Mediterranean identity worldwide, in a unique fusion of orchestral sound and dynamic cinematic projections. Minister Bernini’s closing remarks will mark the launch of a structured programme of support and participation that will accompany the Niscemi community through December 2026.
“Knowing that the reconstruction of Niscemi will also pass through beauty and culture gives us great hope and shows that our community has not been left alone. This initiative is not only essential economic support to rebuild from the rubble, but also a moral balm for all my fellow citizens, who are deeply grateful for this tangible closeness”, concluded Mayor Massimiliano Conti, highlighting the project’s social impact.
With the launch of AFAM4Sicily, the system of Higher Artistic and Musical Education reaffirms that culture is not merely a heritage to be preserved, but a powerful resource capable of responding to national emergencies. The Palermo event on April 9 thus marks the beginning of a long-term “worksite of hope,” where the music, images, and technological innovation of MUSIC4D are transformed into real building blocks for the rebirth of a wounded territory.
Donation details
Account holder: Municipality of Niscemi
Bank: MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA
IBAN (for donations from Italy): IT26J0103083390000004994745
BIC (for international donations): PASCITM1CL4
Reference: AFAM4SICILY
