Diego Di Flora announces the godmothers of the thirtieth anniversary and the solidarity godmother: the Tarantina, a historic Neapolitan female who has turned 90
Naples, June 2026 – They will be Mariagrazia Cucinotta, Leo Gassmann, Big Mama the official godmothers of Napoli Pride 2026, scheduled for next June 27th, the year in which the event celebrates its 30 years of history with the slogan “I'm starting over from 30”. The announcement was made by Diego Di Flora, artistic director of Napoli Pride for the sixth consecutive year, who presented the protagonists of a special edition dedicated to memory, the rights achieved, and the new challenges for inclusion.
Alongside the three godfathers, Napoli Pride 2026 will also have a solidarity godmother, chosen as a symbol of the historical memory and identity of the LGBTQIA+ community: the Tarantina, a historic Neapolitan female figure who turned 90 this year, an iconic figure of Neapolitan popular culture, a witness to a journey of resistance, authenticity, and acceptance, and a point of reference for generations of LGBTQIA+ people.
Di Flora made the announcement on behalf of the Organizing Committee of Napoli Pride 2026, made up of Antinoo Arcigay Naples, ALFI The Tides, Trans Naples Association (ATN), Vesuvius Pride (PV) And Campania Rainbow Coordination.The madrin3 will be present both at the traditional Pride parade and at the Star Show concluding in Piazza Dante, the heart of the great celebration of rights and freedom.
Mariagrazia Cucinotta, actress, producer, and ambassador of Italian culture around the world, brings with her a long career studded with international successes and an unwavering commitment to human rights, human dignity, and the valorization of diversity. An elegant figure deeply committed to civil rights, she represents an example of sensitivity and commitment. Maria Grazia Cucinotta states: "“I've always been on the side of those who choose to love by following their hearts. That's why I'm proud to be the patroness of Napoli Pride, an event that celebrates the freedom to be oneself, respect for differences, and equal rights. Naples is a city I've always felt close to for its warmth, its humanity, and its extraordinary capacity for welcome. Being here, alongside a community that continues to promote inclusion, respect, and freedom, is deeply moving for me. I believe that love, in all its forms, deserves to be experienced openly, with pride, dignity, and without fear.”
Big Mama, one of the most beloved and influential artists on the new Italian music scene, has become a symbol of empowerment and self-determination thanks to her ability to transform her personal experience into a universal message of acceptance and freedom. With her authentic voice and her commitment to fighting all forms of discrimination, she represents a role model for new generations.
Big Mama declares: “I'm truly thrilled to be with my people at the Naples Pride Parade: it will be incredibly emotional for me because it's a city I feel deeply for and love to death. It's a wish I've had for a while, and now it's finally come true: I can't wait to be there for our rights, for our lives, for our happiness, for our freedom—for us. Being a godmother means so much to me, and I will give the city that awaits me a tremendous amount of respect, which is what it deserves. Naples is a fabulous city, full of beautiful people, people who work hard every day for our reality, and I can't wait to see them all face to face, to see them all dance, walk, scream, cry, get excited, and experience a day I can't wait to experience too. So, guys, see you in Naples!the".
Leo Gassmann, a singer-songwriter and actor appreciated for his sensitive lyrics and his attention to social issues, has captivated audiences with an artistic language capable of combining emotion, respect, and inclusion. His presence at Napoli Pride demonstrates the importance of culture and music as tools for dialogue and awareness. He has released his third studio album, "Vita Vera Paradiso," via EMI RECORDS ITALY / Universal Music Italia. The project was preceded by the lead single "Oltre" and the Sanremo single "Naturale." Leo Gassmann states: "“In a time when rights are wavering and violence is rising, being the patron of the Naples Pride is a huge honor for me. I want to use this opportunity to celebrateTo embrace every nuance that makes the world more beautiful. And to always stand by those who fight, every day, to simply be themselves.”
«For the thirtieth anniversary of Napoli Pride, I wanted three personalities who, through different paths, represent the courage to be oneself, the value of inclusion, and the power of culture as a tool for social change.», he declares Diego Di Flora. «BigMama, Leo Gassmann, and Mariagrazia Cucinotta speak to different audiences but share authenticity, sensitivity, and a concern for human rights. Their presence will send a powerful message of solidarity to our community and to all those who believe in a freer society that respects diversity.»
On the choice of the supportive godmother, Di Flora adds: «The Tarantina represents our collective memory. In such an important year, dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of Pride, I felt compelled to pay homage to those who lived through much more difficult times and contributed, with their lives, to paving the way for new generations. Their 90 years, their life, are a human, cultural, and identity-building legacy that Naples must preserve and celebrate.»
“The past, the present and the future are the elements on which Naples Pride is founded. – they explain from organizing committee –. To celebrate this anniversary, we cannot help but recall the LGBT Pride parade with the slogan "Jesce Sole" on June 29, 1996, when the streets of Naples were filled with a rainbow wave of colors accompanied by the roar of motorcycles. It was the first Pride parade in Southern Italy and the third nationwide, after Rome in 1994 and Bologna in 1995. The parade, as activist Franco Grillini, who would receive honorary citizenship of Naples during Pride Week, recalls, began to lay the foundations for civil unions. This struggle became law on May 11, 2016, and today it is no longer enough. The choice of guests and sponsors stems from the need to shine a spotlight on generational differences. The past cannot and must not be erased; rather, it must be consecrated to revitalize our demands. The messages of young people, their requests and the different levels of communication bring a new and fluid perspective: from sharing and cross-breeding the foundations for the future and for a more equal and just society are created.”
With the claim “I'm starting over from 30”, Napoli Pride 2026 looks to the future starting from its own history: thirty years of battles, conquests and participation that have made the event one of the most important events in the national civil rights panorama.
The June 27 Naples will once again be colored with pride, participation, and freedom, for a great collective celebration that unites memory, vision, and the future. Napoli Pride will be preceded by 10 days of events from June 18th to 28th at the Royal Hospice for the fourth edition of the Pride Park, the village of rights.
Articolo tratto da https://www.arcigaynapoli.org/2026/06/04/napoli-pride-2026-maria-grazia-cucinotta-leo-gassmann-bigmama-e-la-tarantina-madrin3-del-trentennale/
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