by InTrieste
On a quiet Saturday evening, the Aula Magna of the University of Trieste’s Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators will transform into an epicenter of scientific discovery and theatrical innovation. SISMA, a groundbreaking performance that fuses science with stagecraft, aims to immerse audiences in the very mechanics of an earthquake. The event, set for March 29 at 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Conceived by Daniele Tenze and Alberto Rizzo, SISMA is no ordinary play. It is a stand-up-style theatrical experience that translates complex seismological data into an accessible, engaging performance. With the help of laser projections, seismic waves take on visible and audible form, allowing audiences to not just hear about earthquakes but to see and feelthem in a way that textbooks cannot convey.
Produced by CEA Mulino Cocconi ODV, which manages the Ecomuseum of the Waters of Gemonese, the production is made possible through funding from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, part of an ongoing initiative to promote scientific literacy. The show offers a multidisciplinary approach to geosciences, merging geology, acoustics, and physics with the emotional and physical realities of seismic events.
Tenze and Rizzo worked closely with experts, including University of Trieste professors Stefano Parolai and Fabio Romanelli, ensuring the accuracy of the scientific material. That research has also contributed to updates at Lab Terremoto, a science outreach center in Gemona del Friuli dedicated to earthquake education since 2016.
SISMA is a core component of Noi e il Terremoto (Us and the Earthquake), a broader initiative backed by the University of Trieste, CSS Teatro Stabile di Innovazione del Friuli Venezia Giulia, and the municipalities of Buja and Gemona del Friuli.
The performance’s origins trace back to the Ars-Arti Relazioni Scienza project, an artistic residency program that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration. The first iteration of SISMA debuted at Invisible Cities, a festival organized by the Municipality of Gradisca d’Isonzo and cultural association Quarantasettezeroquattro. Among the partners involved were the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) and Kaleidoscienza, a group dedicated to science communication.
By blending scientific rigor with artistic ingenuity, SISMA offers more than just entertainment—it provides a visceral understanding of the forces that shape the planet. For a region with a deep history of seismic activity, the show is both a lesson and a tribute to resilience.
Admission is free, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
