The earthquake of 2012 severely hit villages and towns in the area of Modena.

The natural disaster caused the loss of human beings, upset the life of thousands of people, hard-hit productive sites, and totally or partially destroyed many historical centres and a great number of  churches, bell towers, towers, castles, palaces, theatres and rural buildings.

As a consequence, Grandezze & Meraviglie decided to promote the initiative Genius Loci: the music places. 

The Festival’s partners, musicians and staff offered their support to the local centres hit by the disaster  through the organisation of free concerts. They chose the beauty of music to express their solidarity and contribution to the reconstruction of the ruined or completely-destroyed historical sites: it’s from those sites that ancient music comes from.

These concerts were introduced by officers and public employees in charge of the safeguard of the cultural and artistic heritage, thanks to the collaboration of the local Superintendence for Historical Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Modena and Reggio, the Cultural Heritage and Activities Direction of the Region and all the municipalities.

The initiative was financed thanks to a contribution of Emilia-Romagna Region and by some donations raised by the Associazione Musicale Estense, as well as by other associations and privates.