A conversation about thought and language
On Friday, February 19, 2027, Gianrico Carofiglio takes the stage at Teatro Comunale in Sassari with The Mystery of Stupidity. The show takes the form of a theatrical conversation: alone onstage, without scenery or the setup of a lecture, a man develops his ideas in front of the audience, leaving room for interruptions and unexpected turns. The performance begins at 8:30 p.m..
At its heart is stupidity, understood not as a simple lack of intelligence, but as a counterfeit of thought: deliberate oversimplification, rejection of complexity and reckless use of words. Drawing on recurring themes in Carofiglio’s books, the reflection weaves together the value of error as a counter to dogmatism, kindness as a form of cognitive courage, and precise language as a means of protecting civil society. Examples, stories, paradoxes and spontaneous digressions accompany an analysis of the effectiveness of slogans and meaningless phrases, including in contemporary political discourse.
Themes and format
- The rejection of doubt and complexity, and how it can fuel stupidity.
- The responsibility that comes with words and the boundary between truth and falsehood in public language.
- The importance of recognizing these mechanisms in ourselves, too, without resorting to easy moral superiority.
The performance alternates between scripted passages and moments of dialogue with the audience, with the rhythm of an exchange rather than a lecture. It offers no comforting solutions; instead, it invites us to exercise clarity and attentiveness, question our own convictions and favor argument over slogans. The event takes place at Teatro Comunale, on Viale Goffredo Mameli in Sassari.
Tickets
- Prices vary by seating area, from 32 euros for the upper gallery to 45 euros for the stalls.
- Gallery boxes, the gallery and stalls boxes are also available. Booking fees and other charges may be added to the ticket price.