NAPLES – Sky Arte chooses Naples for its world festival debut. Theatre, music, photography, street art, classic and contemporary art: three days dedicated to art in all its forms, with protagonists from the Italian and international art scene, all on display from May 5^th to May 7th.

 In collaboration with Sky Academy, the celebrated pay TV channel has decided to move from a classic television screen and its habitual communication language to mingling among the people in the streets, living artist contexts of a throbbing city. And what city better to choose than vibrant Naples?

 “Finally, the project is mature,” announces CEO of Sky Italy Andrea Zappia. “ It’s the first Sky festival completely dedicated to art, a dream come true, that has been the fruit of articulated work ideas which we are devoted to with great enthusiasm.”

 A three-day kermis open to the public that plans on putting people into direct contact with artist creations and productions while Sky Arte captures unique footage that will become a premiere programme.

 Forever known as one of the liveliest, most creative cities capable of conjugating innovation and tradition, Naples gets a chance to showcase it precious historical-artistic and cultural fabric for all the world to see.

 “For its debut,Sky has chosen Naples,” continues Zappia, “a city with such extraordinarily profound culture, that too often still tends to be underestimated, even though it is currently living a moment of great fermentation and rebirth.”

 Perfectly embodying the festival “regeneration” theme, Naples becomes an ideal venue where the art channel can start right back from the roots of creative and artistic rebirth, to which Sky Arte has concentrated much of its attention since its own birth five years ago.

 Headquarters of Sky Arte Festival will be located at Museo Pignatelli, one of the most significant examples of neoclassic architecture in the metropolis. Along Riviera di Chiaia, the monumental villa will host debates, film and documentary projections, workshops and some Sky Academy activities geared for children.

 “With this Festival, we would like to create the project we have been talking about in the last few months and that we have had loads of fun studying and designing together in accordance with local authorities and representatives,” explains the channel spokesperson. “We are satisfied and proud to have even taken some risks, as in any adventure that starts from scratch. In order to do so, we are going to really sink down into quarters and the most unusual areas, from the Sanità quarter to the seafront that will become an incredible installation – Inside Out – made up of gigantic photos and faces organised by the artist JR,” he concludes.

 Several other locations are also involved:Museo MADRE will host the inaugural festival event and the outdoor evening cinema; the Gallerie d’Italia - Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, museum and cultural office of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank of Naples will show the premiere “The Musicians” of Caravaggio that has been lent by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and, with particular thanks to the collaboration of Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro, Basilica di San Gennaro Extra Moenia and Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità will host theatrical performances in addition to the closing festival concert given by Vinicio Capossela.

 There are many other musical shows surrounding the festival as well: french performer Benjamin Biolay will be making his Italy debut with a live performance; a workshop organized by Capone & BungtBangt is scheduled to show instruments made out of recycled materials and an evening party, with Baba Sissoko, Niccodemo will be thrown featuring Lilies on Mars and guests such as Zulu and Iovine of 99 Posse.

 “The entire festival will be filmed by our TV crew and we’ll be making a special out of it,” says channel Director Roberto Pisoni, “placing a lot of attention on those events created particularly for this occasion. What’s the future of Sky Arte Festival? For now, we’d like to make sure this gets done well, then we’ll see.”

 All events are free and open to the public until seats are no longer available.

 Please consult www.skyartefestival.comfor festival details and event reservations.