TEDx event

TEDxPutignano

FRAGILE FORCES

DateOctober 24, 20263:30 PM - 9:00 PM (GMT+2)
LocationPutignano, Puglia, Italy
FormatStandard

This event is open to the public.

Some forces make no noise, yet have the power to overwhelm and transform. They do not impose themselves, cannot be measured, and are not always visible. These are FRAGILE FORCES: a silence that shifts a thought, a glance that transforms an encounter, a gesture that changes a destiny. We live in a time that celebrates power, speed and solidity. And yet, it is fragility—with its capacity to break, to waver and to feel—that makes every form of life capable of evolving. An ecosystem survives thanks to its delicate web of relationships. A body can regenerate only when it embraces its own vulnerability. A soul feels truly alive only when it listens to its emotions, in that suspended space where opposing forces do not cancel each other out, but find harmony. It is a place where uncertainty becomes fertile ground, where the delicate balance between opposites gives rise to new possibilities. It is the ability to dwell in doubt, to breathe through uncertainty, to find balance in the void. It is the art of living without absolute certainties, yet with presence and grace. Being fragile does not mean being weak. Fragile Forces is an invitation to look more closely at what we so often overlook, and to discover that the most lasting impact does not always come from those who shout the loudest, but from those who know how to listen, observe and embrace.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Andrea Garofalo

    sociologist, traveller

    In 2018, he set off on a journey around the world with a football, using it as a way to connect with people, explore different cultures and discover new stories. That experience inspired his book *Tra le Braccia della Libertà* (*In the Arms of Freedom*) and led to a new realisation: often, the most important journeys don’t take us far away, but bring us closer to others and to ourselves. A sociologist, traveller and creator of personal growth experiences, Andrea continues to create opportunities for people to connect, challenge themselves and discover new perspectives.

  • Antonella Mele

    Marketing and Communications Expert specialising in Sustainability

    Social worker with a diploma in Social Services, she works for the Municipality of Altamura. Since 2011, she has been involved in communications and graphic design for Happy Network. In 2026, she became Head of Marketing and Communications for Happy Network Food, overseeing Naturasì stores in Putignano and Molfetta, the Community Agrivoltaic Vineyard, and I Prodotti della Svolta. Together with writer Fabio De Cuia, she created the concept of visual poetry. She also serves as assistant director for the project's charity performances and works as a therapeutic clown under the name Scintilla.

  • Cosimo Sgobba

    Sleep Coach

    Certified Sleep Coach specialising in improving sleep quality, his professional journey began in the world of traditional craftsmanship, working with sleep systems. This experience gave him first-hand insight into individual needs and the tangible impact sleep has on everyday life. Over time, he expanded his approach, exploring the scientific and behavioural aspects of sleep in greater depth. This evolution led him to specialise in sleep coaching, which is now the focus of his work. Through tailored programmes, he helps people overcome sleep-related difficulties and supports athletes and professionals looking to enhance recovery, mental clarity and performance.

  • Federica Marrocu

    tour guide, author and cultural practitioner

    She is a licensed tour guide, author and cultural practitioner. Her work lies at the intersection of place-based storytelling, education and cultural practices, with a particular focus on processes of self-narration and the conscious reinterpretation of Sardinia’s territories. She designs narrative journeys that weave together history, memory and contemporary lived experiences, challenging stereotypical perspectives and highlighting the complexity of places. Her approach to tourism is decolonial, participatory and responsible, aiming to foster meaningful relationships between those who travel through a territory and the communities who inhabit it. She develops experiences that encourage critical engagement with local contexts and collective awareness, working at the intersection of cultural mediation and the politics of place.

  • Giorgia Landolfo

    journalist

    Born in Catania with a fiery spirit to match, Giorgia Landolfo has made pen and paper her superpowers. A freelance journalist, she writes about the rights of pregnant women, reproductive health and gender issues, giving a voice to stories and topics that too often remain on the margins. Her passion for journalism was sparked by the articles of Giuseppe Fava and has led her to collaborate with newspapers, magazines and online publications over the years. She also teaches prenatal yoga and supports women in recognising and standing up against obstetric violence.

  • Giulio Cavalli

    writer, actor and journalist

    A writer, actor and journalist, since 2025 he has been one of the Italian voices of the Global Sumud Flotilla through his *Diario di Bordo* (Logbook). An author and performer in political and documentary theatre, he has collaborated with Paolo Rossi, Renato Sarti and Dario Fo. He has written editorials for *Left*, *Fanpage.it*, *Il Fatto Quotidiano*, *L’Espresso* and *Linkiesta*, and contributes to *Domani* and *La Notizia*. His work focuses on organised crime, politics, human rights and international conflicts. He has published novels with Rizzoli and Fandango Libri and received several prestigious awards, including the Campiello Prize Selection, the Borsellino Prize and the Fava Giovani Award.

  • Nicola Clemente

    Ethologist

    From Parma to Australia and eventually Taranto, Nicola Clemente’s journey began with a curiosity about the natural world and led him to discover his true passion: ethology and the study of cetaceans. After years of travel and research, he now coordinates the Ketos Centre of Jonian Dolphin Conservation, combining scientific research and citizen science to foster a more conscious relationship with the sea. His mission is both simple and ambitious: to make science accessible and engaging, inspiring people to reconnect with the sea and see it through new eyes.

  • Stefania Fanari

    HR Innovation Manager

    She is an HR Innovation Manager and trainer with over 15 years of experience in human resources management. Her approach is rooted in recognising and enhancing human capital as a strategic asset, with the aim of challenging established paradigms that prevent companies and people from performing at their best in a healthy and sustainable working environment. She works alongside organisations, supporting them in developing skills and strengthening their organisational culture as a driving force for business growth.

  • Velia Lalli

    stand-up comedian

    In 2009, she took the stage with Satiriasi, becoming Italy’s first female stand-up comedian. Since then, Velia Lalli has turned comedy into a space for breaking conventions, challenging stereotypes and saying out loud what too often goes unsaid. For over 12 years, she has collaborated with Comedy Central and worked with Rai2, Rai3, Audible and Radio Globo. But the stage remains her natural habitat, where she now performs her seventh show, Era meglio morire da piccoli (It Was Better to Die Young). She has pushed the boundaries of female comedy, experimenting with new forms of expression and tackling unconventional subjects. Along the way, she has faced criticism, censorship and outrage: all things considered, a pretty good sign that she’s on the right track

Organizing team

This event is open to the public.

October 24, 2026

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