Agricultural Library | The seminar series "In the company of animals (saving humanity)" begins

The Agricultural Library of the Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria launches the 2026 seminar series: "In the company of animals (saving humans)." The program offers six different events from April to October: four seminars inspired by book presentations and two film screenings.

This year's theme focuses on our relationship with animals today, from several perspectives: the importance of livestock farming in the local economy; the relevance of cultural expressions of pastoralism; the ever-increasing desire for the companionship of animals and their presence in our social life; the relationship between animal welfare and human well-being, to which they can also contribute therapeutically; and the extermination of animals in war zones, where the horrific annihilation of entire human communities is accompanied by the irreparable destruction of crops, livestock, and the habitats that have supported their existence. Finally, on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the death of Francis of Assisi, a reflection is offered on two episodes from the life of the Saint, relating to animals (specifically, the wolf and the sheep), which offer foundational insights for a new "integral" ecology.

Social and environmental aspects are interconnected and call upon communities to take a specific responsibility towards their inherited heritage, as fragile as it is precious, encouraging the ability to care for the environment and protect its resources, seeking justice and solidarity. Finally, the animals that accompany us bring a different perception that enriches our own, introducing us to the mysterious dimension of life in its multifaceted expressions, and can make us more open to relationships with others and with those beyond ourselves.

The topic, in its various facets, is addressed by speakers and authors who bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the table: Massimo Gurnari, Sandro Di Giorgio, Riccardo Milani, Michele Panzera, Salvatore Cacciola, Laurie Anderson, Pietro Maranesi, Giorgio Romeo, and Silvia Laura Battaglia al-Jalal.

The inaugural seminar is part of the celebration of the International Year of Pastures and Pastoralists (FAO). It will take place at the Department of Agriculture (Room L) on Wednesday, April 15, at 4:30 PM. The title is "ANIMALS TO BREED, ANIMALS TO PLAY: PASTORAL CULTURE IN ASPROMONTE." Speakers: Massimo Gurnari (Director of the Veterinary Service for Livestock Hygiene and Livestock Production at ASP Reggio Calabria) and Sergio Di Giorgio (Expert on traditional oral music culture in Calabria). The authors will be present, and the discussion will draw inspiration from the books: "The Goat of Aspromonte: History, Myths, Breeding, Itineraries, Gastronomy," by Francesco Foti and Alfonso Picone Chiodo (Laruffa 2025); "In the Mind of the Bagpipe: Reflections on the Experience of Looking Ahead," by Sergio Di Giorgio (Rubbettino, 2025).

In the introduction, after greetings from the Rector, Prof. Giuseppe Zimbalatti, and the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Prof. Marco Poiana, the seminar series will be presented (program attached).

Technical note: Participants will be issued a certificate useful for obtaining credits, subject to recognition by the relevant educational institutions. The Department of Agriculture is located in Reggio Calabria, in the Feo di Vito area. It has ample free parking and can be reached by bus line 27.