What a pleasure to welcome Nordine Sajot to the podcast. We actually met a couple of years ago right here on my terrace for the launch of Good Dramma—a beautiful reminder of the energies and connections these gatherings bring to life.

Originally from France, Nordine is a multidisciplinary artist who first moved to Rome over 20 years ago. After living in Holland, it was a mix of work opportunities, love, and a deep longing for the Mediterranean sun that led her to the Italian capital.

In this episode, we dive into how daily new habits shape your identity when arriving in a new country. We discuss the verb "to build" and how Rome's complex, chaotic environment forces you to adapt. As Nordine beautifully points out, in Rome, "people always found a way to solve" things. The city becomes a daily exercise in survival where, ultimately, "you have two possibilities: or you get mad or you got creative".

We also explore the "not-so-dolce vita" side of Italy—the darker mirror of the city, touching upon its patriarchal history and conservative roots. We delve deep into her profound artistic practice, including her project "I was here," which questions mass tourism, the representation of the body, and modern consumerism. Through our conversation, we take a journey across the numerous neighborhoods she has called home over the decades, proving that it truly takes time to know this magnetic city.

Share your impressions with us on Instagram or on Spotify. You can also send this podcast to someone you think could be interested to know more about Rome. And if you know someone that you'd love to hear from about this city, please write to me and it could be my next guest :)

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What a pleasure to introduce my guest Andrea Paone on the podcast. We actually connected through another podcast—a beautiful reminder of how randomly you can meet people here, and how Rome's community is an impressive, intertwined network.

Originally from Formia, a small coastal town between Naples and Rome, he is someone who loves to travel but is always drawn back to his roots. He first moved to the capital to study, and as he beautifully puts it: "I can feel all the years I’ve spent here, but I still remember the first day."

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane to those early days in Rome—living with roommates, building a community from scratch, and embracing the city's unique creativity. We touch on that distinct Mediterranean energy and the art of the "little chat" that helps you connect with others daily.We also dive into how to navigate this famously chaotic city by taking your time back. He shares his fascinating practice of going out alone, using the city as a mirror to see himself more clearly.

After 14 years, he has fully accepted Rome for all that it is. Through his profound reflections, we also get to explore three special spots that help us understand the city better: Villa Gordiani, Ostia, and I Vinilli del Pigneto.

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What a pleasure to welcome Somto Ajuluchukwu to the podcast for such an incredibly spontaneous episode.

We actually met in the most unexpected way. I recognized him in the streets of San Lorenzo from an exhibition he had just opened. I simply stopped him to say congratulations, and just two hours later, we found ourselves sitting in the studio having this deep, intimate conversation.

Somto’s journey to this moment is fascinating. He came to Rome to present his exhibition, "Objects of Power"—a project born from a wonderful encounter during his visit to the MIA market. Through sculpture and new experimentations, he delivers a strong message, asking a powerful question: What if African civilizations were allowed to evolve uninterrupted?

In this episode, we dive into his creative process and what it means to truly express yourself as an artist. We talk about the magic of crossing paths with people, the art of experimenting, and his approach to the city. We also discuss why bringing this specific narrative to Rome is so significant, especially since, as he points out, "Rome was a city that thrived on conquest."

Somto brings a profound perspective to art, legacy, and life. Through our dialogue, we discover a beautiful reflection when he notes that "we give too much credit to remembering our names," and we explore how, amidst his artistic research and deep connection to the city, he has quietly found a true sense of home here in Rome.

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