Sagapò Project in Hong Kong

SAGAPÒ PROJECT, which in Calabrian Greek means “I love you”, was born in the oldest part of Calabria along the Ionian coast called Magna Grecia. This small strip of land is rich in traditions, art, culture and history.

Sagapò is a musical exploration of the Mediterranean, echoing the timeless identity of its ancestors.

The songs which are sung in Grecanico (Calabrian Greek), Hebrew, Calabrian and Portuguese are an intoxicating mix of sounds that draw from jazz, world music, pop and traditional Calabrian music.

Members of Sagapò Project:

Gegè Albanese - Piano
Marinella Rodà - Voice
Massimo Cusato - Multi-drumset

The Project: FOLKever – Italian Music Roots in Motion

Italian folk music is a journey into the deepest, most authentic parts of our country. It is the vibrant soul of our communities, an echo that tells stories of hopes, struggles, and collective dreams. Every note, every rhythm is a fragment of a world that lives in the voices of the people, in town squares, in the fields, and on the streets. It is the living testimony of a land and of how its people face life and its challenges. Each song is an act of affirming identity, resisting and renewing itself through the centuries, drawing strength from its roots and essence to evolve without ever losing its authenticity. As Italian composer and musicologist Roberto De Simone says, “It is through their music that people tell their story, remember themselves, and affirm their uniqueness, as well as their connection to others.”

Italy’s musical tradition is a heritage not confined to the past, but a living form of expression passed down through generations—like a thread connecting past and present, capable of reinventing itself without betraying its origins.

In the contemporary landscape, Italian folk music plays a crucial role not only as a historical memory but also as a bridge between the past and the future. It is not a music to be stored away in a distant corner of tradition, but a treasure to be renewed and reinterpreted.

With the goal of sharing this rich heritage with the Hong Kong audience, the Italian Cultural Institute presents the project FOLKever – Italian Music Roots in Motion, featuring a program of activities that celebrates the extraordinary variety of Italian folk music. The project includes four events showcasing the musical traditions of different regions, offering a vibrant mosaic of sounds that represent the cultural fabric of Italy.

Host or Publisher Italian Cultural Institute Hong Kong