ABOUT
A cultural vision connecting Music, Art and Innovation, from our roots to the world
LIBERA AMIGDALA APS
Social Promotion Association – Third Sector Entity
"If we want people to love music,
we must give them a reason to love it."
This phrase has always represented the philosophy of LIBERA AMIGDALA APS.
We believe that love for music and culture does not arise only from listening or attending an event, but from the overall experience that accompanies every encounter: artistic quality, the beauty of the venues, hospitality, sharing, and the opportunity to feel part of something.
For this reason, every activity we organize is created with the aim of offering opportunities to bring people closer to music, art and culture, transforming a concert, a competition or a cultural event into an experience to remember.
OUR INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY
Since January 2026, the Cultural Association Libera Amigdala has updated its legal status, becoming LIBERA AMIGDALA APS (Social Promotion Association), officially entering the Italian Third Sector system.
The Association is duly registered in the RUNTS – National Single Register of the Third Sector, in the APS section, under registration no. 165763, with D.R.S. no. 506 dated 18 February 2026.
This transition represents the natural evolution of a journey that began in 2009 and confirms the commitment to operate with greater organizational strength, transparency and responsibility, while preserving the cultural and artistic mission that has always characterized Libera Amigdala.
The transformation into an APS therefore strengthens a project that has already been consolidated over the years in the promotion of music, art and culture.
OUR HISTORY
From 2009 to today
LIBERA AMIGDALA APS was founded in 2009 with the desire to create an open cultural space, capable of encouraging dialogue between different artistic forms and offering the community opportunities for encounter, knowledge and participation.
From its very beginning, the Association has developed activities dedicated to music, art and culture in a broad sense, promoting initiatives capable of bringing together different forms of expression and bringing the public closer to beauty, knowledge and creativity.
Over the years, LIBERA AMIGDALA APS has organized classical music, rock, pop, Blues and Jazz concerts, musical festivals, book presentations, conferences, cultural meetings, and events dedicated to poetry and theatre.
Particular attention has also been devoted to the enhancement of cultures and traditions through oriental dance, ethnic and folk performances, artistic projects and opportunities for dialogue between different cultural expressions.
The Association's vision has always been to consider culture as a space for dialogue and positive exchange, where music, words, movement, traditions and creativity can meet and generate new experiences for the public.
In 2011, the AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION was founded: an international competition dedicated to young musicians from different countries, with the aim of promoting artistic growth, cultural exchange and the enhancement of new generations of performers.
From its very origins, the Amigdala Competition has never been conceived as a simple competition, but as a complete educational experience.
Alongside artistic evaluation, each edition offers candidates opportunities for direct exchange with masters, teachers and members of the judging panels through moments of dialogue, feedback and in-depth learning.
For LIBERA AMIGDALA APS, the Competition thus becomes a journey of learning, encounter and musical, artistic and personal growth, in which every young musician can transform the experience of meeting high-level professionals into an opportunity to develop and strengthen their own artistic path.
To complement the competition activities, the Association has organized masterclasses, meetings with musicians and teachers, educational sessions and lutherie exhibitions, enhancing the relationship between musical interpretation, knowledge of instruments and artistic craftsmanship.
In a short time, the AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION has grown into an international event, capable of involving young musicians, teachers, professionals and institutions from different countries.
Alongside the Competition, LIBERA AMIGDALA APS has developed an intense concert activity through AMIGDALA IN CONCERTO, a project dedicated to live music that has brought important performers and prestigious names from the national and international music scene to the local area.
The programme has included six concert seasons, featuring internationally renowned artists and combining the promotion of young talents with the presence of established musicians, in a journey designed to offer the public high-quality artistic experiences.
Concerts, festivals and events have transformed community spaces into places of culture, listening and sharing, creating a direct relationship between artists and audiences.
From this journey, AMIGDALA FESTIVAL was born: the cultural project that today brings together under a single identity all the activities promoted by LIBERA AMIGDALA APS: International Music Competitions, concert programming, festivals, cultural events, and artistic and educational initiatives.
Today, the Festival represents the heart of the Association's activities: a stable and recognizable cultural platform, a meeting point for artists, musicians, institutions and audiences.
Over time, LIBERA AMIGDALA APS has built a network of collaborations with artists, institutions, schools, organizations and cultural entities, always placing at the centre the quality of its projects, the care devoted to hospitality and the value of the experience offered.
Today, the Association continues its journey with the same vision that inspired its origins: creating opportunities where music, art and culture can meet people, generate emotions and build a shared memory.
A glimpse of our history from 2009 to 2019
OUR MISSION
LIBERA AMIGDALA APS was founded on the belief that music, art and culture are essential tools for fostering dialogue among people, generations and communities.
The Association works to:
- promote music, art and culture through high-quality events;
- support and promote young talents and emerging artistic careers;
- create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among artists, institutions and audiences;
- encourage cultural exchange at both national and international levels;
- support the artistic and professional development of performers;
- bring culture beyond its traditional venues, making it accessible to an ever wider audience.
Every project is built on a balance between respect for tradition, awareness of contemporary developments, and the search for new ways of encouraging cultural participation.
THE VISION OF THE PRESIDENCY
President and Founding Member
Prof. Maria Grazia Palermo
Libera Amigdala was founded on a clear conviction: music and culture achieve their fullest value when they are able to create a genuine connection with people.
From the very beginning of the Association's journey, the Presidency has embraced a vision based on a fundamental principle:
"If we want people to love music, we must give them a reason to love it."
From this idea emerged a way of understanding culture as an experience to be lived and shared: not simply events to be presented, but opportunities to inspire emotion, build relationships and encourage participation through artistic excellence, hospitality and attention to every detail.
The Presidency's approach is shaped by the combination of artistic sensitivity, organizational skills and a constant commitment to innovation. A musical background and an artistic career as a painter have fostered a deep appreciation for harmony, aesthetic balance, visual identity and the pursuit of beauty in every project.
This sensitivity is reflected in the care devoted to venues, the attention to detail, the quality of hospitality and the desire to create experiences in which artistic value is expressed not only through the performance itself, but also through the way it is presented and experienced by the audience.
Its vision brings together respect for tradition and openness to new forms of expression, creativity and method, the emotional dimension of art and the precision of organizational planning.
Over the years, this approach has guided the growth of Libera Amigdala, transforming ideas and inspiration into well-structured projects and developing an organizational model capable of supporting the Association's continuous evolution.
A distinctive feature of this journey has been the ability to combine culture and technology. Through an innovation-oriented approach, the Presidency conceived and developed new organizational tools, including the digital management system for the Amigdala International Music Competition, created to make the Competition's internal processes more efficient, transparent and sustainable.
Equally important is the close collaboration and ongoing dialogue with the Artistic Director, with whom the Presidency shares decisions, evaluations and cultural strategies in order to ensure consistency, quality and a strong artistic identity across all the Association's activities.
The growth of Libera Amigdala is the result of a journey built over time through passion, research, careful planning and the ability to establish meaningful relationships with artists, institutions, partners and local communities. It is a journey in which culture is regarded as a powerful instrument for dialogue, personal growth and the enhancement of the local territory.
Today, Libera Amigdala continues its journey inspired by the same founding principle: to create opportunities where music, art and culture can connect with people, inspire emotions and leave a lasting and meaningful legacy.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOUNDING MEMBERS
The Board of Directors represents the governing body of the Association and, together with the President, is responsible for defining general guidelines, developing projects and pursuing the objectives set out in the Statute, ensuring continuity, transparency and consistency with the mission of Libera Amigdala APS.
Vice President
and Founding Member
Eng. Giovanni Faro
Treasurer, Secretary
and Founding Member
Dr. Tommaso Stasi
ARTISTIC DIRECTION
Artistic Director
M° Antonella Scuderi
The Artistic Direction represents one of the key pillars in the cultural activities and projects of Libera Amigdala APS.
Through extensive musical, educational and artistic experience, also gained as a Piano Professor at the State Conservatory "Vincenzo Bellini" of Catania, she contributes to defining the Association's cultural and musical guidelines, participating in the planning of initiatives and in the development of the artistic identity that characterizes festivals, concerts, competitions and cultural programmes.
Over the years, she has developed a significant network of relationships within the national and international music scene, establishing collaborations with artists, teachers, musicians and institutions that have helped broaden the Association's cultural horizons and encourage the participation of talents from different countries.
Her expertise in performance, music education and teaching allows her to support artistic choices with particular attention to quality, the enhancement of young talents and the creation of paths capable of combining musical excellence with cultural growth.
She oversees the selection and relationships with artists, musicians, teachers and juries, contributing to the definition of artistic proposals and ensuring consistency, quality and continuity in the initiatives promoted by the Association.
The artistic journey of Libera Amigdala is based on constant dialogue and a synergistic collaboration with the Presidency and the entire organizational structure, through continuous exchange on project choices, cultural objectives and the methods of implementing activities.
The collaboration between the Presidency's organizational and strategic vision and the Artistic Direction's artistic sensitivity and musical expertise represents one of the distinctive elements of Libera Amigdala APS. This ongoing dialogue between organizational skills, musical experience and artistic research has allowed the Association to build, over the years, a recognizable cultural identity capable of combining quality, passion and care in every project it promotes.
COMMUNICATION AND VISUAL IDENTITY
Head of Communication
Alessia Famoso
The Head of Communication is responsible for overseeing the overall image of the Association and its projects, coordinating institutional communication, promotional materials, media relations and digital presence.
Through coherent and attentive communication strategies, she contributes to sharing the story, values and activities of Libera Amigdala, enhancing the work of artists, participants and partners.
AMIGDALA FESTIVAL
THE PROJECTS OF LIBERA AMIGDALA
Under the patronage of the Municipality of Aci Bonaccorsi – Department of Tourism and Entertainment, LIBERA AMIGDALA APS presents AMIGDALA FESTIVAL, the cultural project that brings together and enhances the Association's main artistic activities.
The Festival combines International Music Competitions, concert programming, festivals, cultural meetings and educational initiatives, creating opportunities for exchange between young musicians, established artists, teachers, institutions and audiences.
Through its projects, AMIGDALA FESTIVAL promotes music and culture as tools for growth, dialogue and participation, while at the same time enhancing the territory that hosts it.
AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION
Founded in 2011, the AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION is an international competition dedicated to young musicians from different countries.
The project supports emerging talents through an experience that combines artistic exchange, education and personal growth.
The competition represents only one part of a broader journey: through dialogue with teachers and members of the judging panels, masterclasses, meetings and complementary activities, participants have the opportunity to enrich both their musical and personal experience.
Over the years, the Competition has contributed to creating an international network of relationships among musicians, schools, institutions and cultural organizations.
AMIGDALA IN CONCERTO
Music continues beyond the Competition through AMIGDALA IN CONCERTO, the programme dedicated to live performances.
The project offers concerts, festivals and events featuring young talents, artists who have emerged from the Competition experience and performers of recognized national and international prestige.
With six concert seasons organized over the years and numerous musical events, AMIGDALA IN CONCERTO brings great music into community spaces, transforming historic venues and local locations into opportunities for listening, encounter and participation.
HONORARY MEMBERS AND COMPETITION AMBASSADORS
Over the years, Libera Amigdala APS has built strong relationships with artists, teachers and prominent figures from the world of music who have supported and enhanced the journey of the Festival and the Competition.
The Honorary Members and Competition Ambassadors represent reference figures who share the values of the Association and contribute to the promotion and dissemination of its cultural mission.
The LIBERA AMIGDALA APS, with unanimous approval from the Board of Directors, has decided to confer upon
The appointment of HONORARY MEMBER
For his significant and valuable artistic and educational activities, and for the dedication he has shown in supporting and enhancing with great enthusiasm and passion the cultural and artistic objectives pursued by the AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION.
The LIBERA AMIGDALA APS, with unanimous agreement from the Board of Directors, has decided to confer upon
The appointment of HONORARY MEMBER
For his excellent and valuable educational activities, and for her professional commitment, spirit of dedication, and meritorious and meticulous work in support of the AMIGDALA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION.
OUR PARTNERS
Libera Amigdala APS develops collaborations with public bodies, cultural institutions, schools, associations and artistic organizations that share the commitment to supporting music, art and culture.
These partnerships represent a fundamental element in the growth of the Association and make it possible to develop shared projects, create new opportunities and strengthen the connection with the local territory.
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AND EVENT SUPPORT
Official Technical Service Provider
TimeWarp Multimedia Services by Salvo Lo Vecchio
The quality of an event also comes from the professionalism of the people who take care of every technical and organizational aspect behind the scenes.
For years, Libera Amigdala APS has relied on the collaboration of a trusted technical service provider that supports the realization of the Association's concerts, competitions and cultural events.
The technical support includes the management of audio and lighting setups, as well as the operational requirements necessary for the successful realization of events, ensuring reliability, precision and attention to detail.
This long-standing collaboration represents an important element of our organization and contributes to transforming every project into a carefully managed and professional experience for both artists and audiences.
ELEGANCE, HOSPITALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Every event created by Libera Amigdala is born from a commitment to artistic quality and to the overall experience offered to both audiences and artists.
The care devoted to venues, guest hospitality, space organization, attention to detail and the atmosphere of each event represent distinctive elements of our approach to culture.
We believe that beauty is not only what happens on stage, but also everything that surrounds the audience before, during and after each experience.
For this reason, every concert, meeting and cultural event is designed with passion, elegance and respect for artists, audiences and the local territory.
Libera Amigdala APS
Music as an experience, an encounter and a shared memory.
