by InTrieste
In the heart of Trieste’s revitalized Old Port, the city’s cultural scene took center stage on Thursday afternoon with the inauguration of Liberi Percorsi, an international contemporary art exhibition. The event, held in Sala Leonor Fini at Magazzino 26, marks a significant milestone in the 17th Biennale Giuliana d’Arte, an artistic showcase that has increasingly positioned Trieste as a hub for both national and international talent.
The opening ceremony drew key figures from the city’s cultural and political landscape, including Giorgio Rossi, Trieste’s Councillor for Cultural and Tourism Policies. Rossi lauded the city’s decision to invest in Magazzino 26, transforming the once-neglected space into a thriving cultural center. “It was a deliberate choice by the city administration to bet on Magazzino 26 as a permanent cultural hub,” Rossi said. “A few years ago, it stood empty. Now, it’s an essential venue for high-quality artistic proposals, and it has already been booked for events into 2025.”
Curated by Luigi Pitacco, Director of the Biennale Giuliana d’Arte, and supported by art critic Cristiana Feresin, Liberi Percorsi features a diverse range of works from over 60 artists. These include painter and journalist Fulvio Monai, and Professor Claudio Ugussi, whose contributions stand alongside an array of mixed-media pieces, from graphics and drawings to plastic works and installations.
The exhibition is open to the public through November 3, with viewings available on Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
A New Cultural Vision for Trieste
Trieste’s Old Port, recently rebranded as Porto Vivo (the Living Port), has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, evolving from an industrial relic into a vibrant cultural district. As part of this shift, Magazzino 26, once an abandoned warehouse, has become a centerpiece of the city’s artistic and cultural initiatives.
“The city’s policy is to promote the use of these spaces, making them as accessible as possible,” Rossi said, emphasizing the importance of popularizing culture. “Our goal is to offer opportunities for all forms of high-quality artistic expression, not just elite exhibitions.”
Indeed, the revival of Magazzino 26 represents a larger effort by the city to integrate culture into the fabric of everyday life. Rossi noted that substantial investments have been made to upgrade the venue’s facilities, ensuring that it is fully equipped to meet the needs of today’s artists.
Bruno Paladin: A Lifetime in Art
While Liberi Percorsi offers a snapshot of contemporary art’s current direction, another notable element of this year’s Biennale Giuliana d’Arte is the solo exhibition of Bruno Paladin, an artist who will be awarded for his lifetime achievements during the festival.
Paladin, a master originally from Fiume, now Rijeka, Croatia, has spent five decades honing his craft, and his career retrospective is on display at Palazzo Costanzi, located in Trieste’s historic center. The exhibition, running through October 13, provides a comprehensive look at Paladin’s artistic journey, featuring pieces that span various phases of his work.
On October 14, the Biennale’s highest honor, the Biennale Plaque, will be presented to Paladin in a ceremony at Sala Luttazzi in Magazzino 26. The award ceremony, scheduled for 5:30 p.m., is expected to draw significant attention as a culmination of the artist’s remarkable contributions to the visual arts.
The Future of Trieste’s Biennale
As the 17th Biennale Giuliana d’Arte continues to unfold, it reflects not only the evolution of contemporary art but also the growing importance of Trieste as a cultural epicenter. The Biennale is co-organized by the city in collaboration with the Multimedia Documentation Center of Istrian-Fiuman-Dalmatian Culture and the Biennale Giuliana d’Arte.
With Magazzino 26 already booked for the coming years, Trieste seems poised to continue its ascent as a city where art, history, and innovation converge—a testament to the transformative power of culture in urban revitalization.
The exhibition “Liberi Percorsi” runs until November 3, and Bruno Paladin’s solo show is open until October 13 at Palazzo Costanzi.
