La Festa del Presente

The “Festa del Presente” is a party for both senses of “present”: to celebrate the here and now of the moment; and where everybody gives presents.
From dawn to dusk, on the first Sunday of the summer, at Torretta di Porcari, a vast State-owned area with meadows and woods that overlooks Lucca’s plain on three sides, people will gather to give away objects, services, lessons, conferences, shows and stories.
The event aims at creating a playful, hedonistic and convenient upsetting of the fundamental mechanism of economic life: that of always expecting something in exchange for something else. A collective gesture of serene insubordination creating a situation where everybody comes away richer, without the circulation of any money or the GNP increasing by a single penny.   

The only rule of party is that of giving without receiving; No direct exchange, no barter, and absolutely no money. The offers can be almost anything; food, drink, jam jars, clothes, books, furniture, junk, professional advice, lessons on various topics, organisation of conferences, lectures, debates, show works of art, hair cuts, massages. And at the same time participants can also be recipients of all that is on offer. This is a situation that challenges the idea that money is the only measure of wealth, and provides the opportunity to give each other a hand, not just symbolically, by giving what we can to those who may like or need it. A collective performance, a political gesture and also a present that the community gives to itself.

That which is leftover at the day will be offered to the various voluntary organizations that participated, and any waste will be separated and disposed of by ASCIT.

In keeping with the spirit of the event, no money will be used in any of its organisations phases, and monetary donations will not be accepted. Participation is entirely free. Publicity for the event will be exclusively by word of mouth, the internet, and the free contributions of associations, intellectuals, newspapers, radio and TV stations. We therefore invite whoever receives this message to spread the word, visit the website, print promotional materials and contribute to their distribution.

The website ( www.lafestadelpresente.it ) has a selection of scientific studies and texts on the issues touched upon, a section with promotional materials, a page with adhesions from the people / organizations that are unable to participate, but support the initiative, and logistical information. A list of the public and private participants will also soon be available.

All those interested in actively contributing to the success of the initiative are invited to contact the promoters’ committee at info@lafestadelpresente.it or 3420591932.