by InTrieste
Interviews: General Manager Roberto Bolelli; Elisa Lodi, the city’s Councilor for Sports; Regional Environment Councillor Fabio Scoccimarro; Sanda Delija, world record holder in freediving
Mare Nordest, a festival dedicated to the sea through the lenses of science, culture, sport, and art, is set to return to Trieste from May 23 to 25. Now in its 14th year, the event will take place in a temporary structure in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, reaffirming its role as a prominent platform for maritime-related activities in a city long positioned at the crossroads of Europe.
Organizers unveiled the program on Tuesday during a press conference at Palazzo Gopcevich. The theme for this year’s edition, “All the Reflections of the Sea,” aims to highlight the sea’s multifaceted significance—from ecological and economic perspectives to its symbolic and cultural resonance.
Elisa Lodi, Trieste’s municipal councillor for sports, opened the press conference, noting the event’s steady development over the years. “This is a well-established event that continues to grow,” she said. “Mare Nordest brings together many important themes and succeeds in making them accessible to the wider public.”
Also in attendance were Fabio Scoccimarro, the regional councillor for environmental protection, event general managers Roberto Bolelli and Edoardo Nattelli, CEO Tiziana Tassan, members of the Mare Nordest organizational team, and representatives from the many local associations involved. Joining remotely was Paolo Ferraro, president of the International Academy of Underwater Sciences and Techniques.
The 2025 edition will feature Sanda Delija, the current world record holder in the freediving discipline of Free Immersion, as the event’s guest of honor.
Since its inception, Mare Nordest has positioned itself as a key gathering for those working in and around the marine world, from researchers and environmental advocates to athletes and artists. Trieste’s location—historically a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe—continues to inform the festival’s international outlook and interdisciplinary approach.
Further details about the program are expected in the lead-up to the opening later this week.
