Music as a herald of sustainability: the Umbria Jazz Festival returns with an edition that’s greener than ever

For two years now, concerts have been cancelled or held under extremely restricted conditions due to the Covid pandemic. In the summer of 2022, however, the Umbria Jazz Festival – one of Italy’s longest running music events and a popular appointment in the international calendar – returns to fill the city of Perugia’s squares, parks and clubs with the sound of music. The capital city of Umbria, the green heart of Italy, will host more than 250 concerts and many other initiatives from July 8 to August 17. As a world leader in renewable energy, we at Enel Green Power want to be there to support the value of sustainability: we are active directly in Umbria with hydroelectric plants and other renewable energy facilities. This is an energy and a value that we gladly make available to support music and the wonderful and important initiative that is the Umbria Jazz Festival. A winning formula and a “green stage” with Gilberto Gil The Santa Giuliana Arena, the main stage since 2003, is the principle evening venue for the big events; these are not only limited to jazz but also include pop and rock, and will feature artists such as Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Diana Krall and Tom Jones. On July 9, Gilberto Gil and his band, featuring Marisa Monte, will take the stage. Brazilian musician Gil, who at 80 years old is still riding the crest of a wave, recently made his debut on TikTok and is also actively promoting respect for the environment. Gil’s track Refloresta is a genuine declaration of love for the planet, urging its protection and the safeguarding of its forests. His tour Viramundo – a long series of shows in the global south that was later made into a documentary – concludes in the heart of the Amazon, the world’s most important green lung. Gil has also been performing benefit concerts to raise funds for its conservation. And so, on the evening of the concert, the Arena will turn green, becoming an Enel Green Power Stage. The afternoon concerts of classic jazz, especially of Italian jazz, will take place in the Teatro Morlacchi. The National Gallery of Umbria will host two sets a day in a refined setting. There will also be free open-air concerts in various spots around the city; for example, Piazza Matteotti will be dedicated to swing music. There will also be workshops for children and teenagers that combine play, culture, creativity and socialization (UJ4KIDS) in addition to specific courses (the so-called “Clinics”) for music students from all over the world who want to play jazz. Green notes Umbria Jazz has long endorsed a set of good practices in environmental protection and sustainability. The festival has its own “green economy” in the areas of waste reduction, recycling, choosing energy from renewable sources and reducing emissions. The event is also active in raising awareness among the public, artists, suppliers and staff about the importance of behaviors that minimize the festival’s environmental impact. This is a choice shared by Enel Green Power that supports and practices the circular economy, one of the cornerstones of the energy transition to decarbonization to fight the climate crisis. We have 13 large hydroelectric plants across the region of Umbria, (in addition to mini-hydro plants and a pumping station), in the river basins of the Velino, Nera and Tiber rivers, all of which are situated in fluvial ecosystems of great naturalistic value, such as the Nera River Park, the Marmore Waterfalls and the Alviano Nature Reserve. In partnership with associations in the area, we pay particular attention to sustainability, tourism and initiatives that enhance the areas where our power plants are located – because our goal is to create ever greater shared value with the communities where we operate.

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Music as a herald of sustainability: the Umbria Jazz Festival returns with an edition that’s greener than ever