Empathism is a contemporary cultural and artistic movement founded in 2020 in the Cilento Antico region of Campania, Italy. The movement places empathy at the center of artistic creation and contemporary cultural discourse, promoting emotional, ethical, and relational awareness as foundational principles of artistic practice.
History:
Empathism originated within the so-called Cultural Triangle of Cilento Antico, formed by:
-Omignano, known as the Village of Aphorisms;
-Salento, referred to as the Village of Poetry;
-Vallo della Lucania, home to the Contemporary Arts Center;
During its initial phase, Empathism consolidated its presence within the Cultural Pyramid of Cilento, a territorial and cultural network encompassing 25 towns and cities recognized as emerging neo-cultural centers. This phase laid the groundwork for a new model of decentralized cultural development rooted in empathy-driven artistic expression.
Spread:
Following its regional establishment, Empathism expanded at both national and international levels. Cultural hubs and affiliated initiatives connected to the movement have been identified in:
-Florence;
-Milan;
-Rome;
-Varese;
-Naples;
-Salerno;
-Edinburgh;
These centers function as platforms for exhibitions, literary events, performances, and interdisciplinary dialogue aligned with the principles of Empathism. In addition, by 2026, approximately 350 artists and cultural figures – known as Empathic Masters – were affiliated with the movement.
Cilento International Poetry Prize:
The principal event associated with the movement is the Cilento International Poetry Prize, which reached its eleventh edition in 2026. The prize is regarded as an internationally oriented event within contemporary poetry and the arts, fostering intercultural exchange and dialogue through literary and artistic practices centered on empathy.
Bibliography and Theoretical Foundations:
Empathism is supported by an extensive and evolving theoretical and critical bibliography. A foundational document of the movement is “The New Manifesto on the Arts”, published in 2019 by Lerro and Pelliccia, which is widely regarded as the first formal theoretical basis of Empathism. Although released prior to the official founding of the movement in 2020, the text articulated many of its core principles and is therefore considered part of the Pre-Empathic Period (2000–2020).
The theoretical framework of Empathism was further consolidated in 2025 with the publication of thirty-two theses, which systematized the movement’s aesthetic, ethical, and cultural positions. These theses expanded the original manifesto by defining empathy as both a methodological tool and a foundational value in contemporary artistic and cultural practice.
Together, these documents constitute the principal conceptual architecture of Empathism and continue to inform its artistic production, critical discourse, and institutional initiatives.