The first Forum of the UNESCO Chairs of the Mediterranean (University of Corsica, Corti, September 8–11) devoted considerable attention to various topics related to the different aspects of heritage theory and practice, including the anthropology of heritage transmission and intangible heritage in its performative forms—from the liturgical chants “in paghjella” (a cappella) and the “granitula” procession observed in Casamaccioli, to the artisanal practices discussed in subsequent panels. This is the multifaceted context for my presentation during the closing session on September 11, dedicated to Mediterranean cooperation within the “UNESCO 80” strategy, focusing on the “Offroad Club Monaco” project. The initiative proposes “off-road” competition and athletic performance as a form of performative heritage in its own right: a competitive activity that, originating in the Principality of Monaco, has been revitalizing outdoor sports for about a year, with the awareness that it carries with it knowledge and practices rich in heritage and ritual, much like many other examples and projects of Mediterranean heritage discussed at the Forum. The project is presented as a tool for international cooperation aimed at the joint promotion of cultural, environmental, and—precisely—performative-sporting heritage: “off-road” competitive sports are closely linked to best practices in environmental sustainability and to the promotion of Monaco’s natural and architectural-cultural heritage, making sport not only a recreational activity but also a vehicle for storytelling and the protection of the territory. In line with the joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the Forum, the Monegasque experience demonstrates how academic research and lived heritage—here expressed through performance—can remain firmly intertwined in the shared narrative of the Mediterranean.
Prof. Andrea Carteny, Sapienza University of Rome,
(CEMAS Research Center for International Cooperation, SARAS Department—History, Anthropology, Religions, Art, and Performing Arts)
