One of the vibrant testing grounds is Naples, Italy, where the programme officially kicked off on 9 May 2026. The  Goethe‑Institut teamed up with the local collective Laboratorio Architettura Nomade, joining forces with a network of enthusiastic partners to create a playful, curiosity‑driven initiative: “La Primavera della Bolla – Per la conoscenza della natura di Partenope” (The Spring of the Bolla – For an Understanding of the Nature of Naples).
The project invites participants to explore the city’s hidden ecological treasures in its eastern districts, reconnect with its watery undercurrents, and experience Naples through movement, creativity, and shared discovery. It’s part urban adventure, part artistic experiment, and part environmental awakening—designed to show how a participatory programme can come alive when people are encouraged to look, listen, and engage with their surroundings in new ways. The landscape is shaped by shallow aquifers, old canals, and resilient patches of greenery that quietly help cool the city. At a time when climate change is raising the temperature, the project blends sustainable mobility, artistic exploration, and environmental awareness to help people reconnect with a landscape they often pass without noticing.

The day began at Porta Capuana, where participants were introduced to the mission and the creative framework behind the experience. Everyone received a playful fanzine filled with QR‑based prompts for capturing photos, sounds, and reflections—turning the excursion into an interactive treasure hunt. As the group moved through key sites, Alexander Valentino shared vivid insights into how water and vegetation shape Naples’ microclimate, encouraging participants to observe the territory with fresh eyes.

With support from the City of Naples and the Maggio dei Monumenti programme, the group even enjoyed a police escort, making the journey through busy streets smooth and safe. Linking the participatory event to a larger local programme has proved to be a key to success, as has shown our previous experience throughout the project.

After four hours of exploration, everyone returned to Porta Capuana and continued to a former wool mill—now a lively hub for artists and craftspeople, including Laboratorio Architettura Nomade. There, a collaborative workshop brought participants and artists together to reflect on and organize the day’s findings. These materials will soon take shape as artistic installations for a public exhibition on July 1st, followed by a concluding seminar in October. The project is already sparking new conversations between citizens, institutions, and the fragile landscapes that define Naples.