On March 27, coinciding with World Theater Day, the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Naples hosted a special event entitled “The Theater of Nature – Lo Guarracino: theater, music and species extinction.” The initiative was promoted and funded by the Municipality of Naples as part of the project “Theater, what a class!”, aimed at students from local schools.
Union of Art and Science
The event, conceived by the Primo Aiuto Association in collaboration with the Dohrn Foundation, the Liberaimago Association and the Korakora Association, offered participants an experience that combines theater, marine biology and ecological economics. The goal is to bring young people closer to the performing arts and environmental issues through a creative and transformative dialogue between art and science. The central show was enhanced by a dramatized museum visit, held at the Museo della Stazione Zoologica, and involved the performance of students from Naples' comprehensive schools. These young people staged the famous Neapolitan song "Lo Guarracino", embodying characters inspired by marine fauna through acting, music and dance.
The Role of “Lo Guarracino”
The song “Lo Guarracino”, known in the Neapolitan tradition and promoted by the Nuova Compagnia di Canto popolare, played a key role as an educational and cultural tool. With its references to the marine biodiversity of the Gulf of Naples, the song was used to reflect on the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. This project aimed to create a bridge between past and present, a philosophy that was reflected in the context of the Darwin-Dohrn Museum, a research center founded by biologist Anton Dohrn.
Collaborations and Support
The success of the event was supported by important partners such as Velia Ambiente of Scafati, which shared the commitment to environmental sustainability, and the Autoscuola del Sole of Naples, which actively contributed to the project, strengthening the bond with the territory. This initiative was part of a broader educational context, with the aim of bringing out in the young participants a greater ecological awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the natural environment.
Article published on March 25, 2025 - 16pm
Video Chronicles
The event on March 27 seems like a great initiative for young people, but I'm not sure how art can really help save extinct species. The combination of theater and science is interesting, but more clarity is needed on how these activities can generate a real impact on the environment.