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Silvia Segantin

Narrator1

Part 1: general intro

“I will follow knowledge wherever it leads me”: Galileo’s life was based on this statement. His interest in science led him to discover new inventions, such as the telescope, and to join the Copernican theory, challenging the teachings of the Bible.

He thought that real knowledge was worth going against the Church authority. His revolutionary behaviour soon caused him  troubles with the law; he was accused  of having violated the Holy Scriptures, and put under trial for that.

Stefania Spunton, Francesca Garbin,

Elena Pavanello

Andrea Sarti, Galileo, Virginia

Padova, Galileo’s home

Dialogue+G.’s intention to move to Florence

ANDREA SARTI

Galileo, what are you doing here? You are wasting your time! You get no money from what you are doing and you have got many debts, why don’t you devote yourself to something more useful and profitable?

GALILEO GALILEI

I’m a scientist. I love discovering new things, testing old assumptions, making scientific tools…

But am I only this? I’ve watched stars through my telescope…Their charm and beauty have fascinated me so much that I’ve decided to study the infinite sky! All the wonders I have discovered, the Milky Way, the moons of Jupiter, the sunspots, made me think that our beliefs were not true…Is the universe finite? How many stars are there? Is the Earth motionless? It seems strange…do all the stars and the planets turn round the Earth together in the same way every day or is it the Earth that moves?

My old student Cosmo de’ Medici has invited me to go to Florence and I’m going to reach him there. In Florence, I will be able to go on with my studies and to earn some money.

Carlotta Mazzucato

Narrator2

Padova

Intro to G.Bruno

Giordano Bruno was born in Nola. His ideas weren’t orthodox as regards religion, for this reason he was sent into exile. Then  Bruno was declared a heretic and he was burned at the stake.

He maintained the cosmological beliefs by  Copernicus. In particular he stated that there isn’t difference between the  universe above the moon and the  universe under it. Bruno thought that the universe is infinite and the sun is not  the centre of universe. He believed that there was a clear contrast between the Bible and philosophy.

He maintained that the Bible is responsible for Christian teachings and philosophy for detailed scientific knowledge.

Letizia Zerbini

Giordano Bruno’s ghost

Padova

“Do not go to Florence!”

Do not go to Florence, Galileo! You will be burnt!

Silvia Segantin

Narrator1

Florence, at the Court of Cosimo de Medici

Galileo’s experience in Florence

Part 2

Once in Florence, Galileo’s economic issues seem to be solved.

For a short time, everything apparently goes in the right way: he works hard, with Cosimo De’ Medici by his side, but, once again, his theories disturb religious dogmas.

His troubles with the Church are not over.

Anna Moressa

Copernicus

Rome

Copernican theory

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS

I have suggested a sun-centred system in which the Earth, rotating on its own axis every twenty-four hours, revolves around the Sun once a year.

I have maintained that the Sun, not the Earth, is the centre of the Solar System. Such  model is called  heliocentric system.

According to this new order the Earth is just another planet, and the Moon has its orbit around the Earth, not the Sun.

That is the reason why I do not agree with Aristotelian theories.

Sandy Trombini

Narrator3

Rome

Copernicus’ theory is put in the List of Forbidden Books by the Roman Inquisition

Copernico’s work “Revolution of The Celestial Orbs” was put on the Index of Forbidden Books by the Roman Inquisition.

Alessia Cattin, Francesca Garbin

Cardinal Bellarmino, Galileo

Florence

Dialogue, Galileo part 2, Bellarmino

GALILEO GALILEI part 2 dialogue with Bellarmine

We don’t have to stick to what is said in the Holy Bible; there, it is taught ”how  to go to Heaven, not how the sky works”; the Bible gives a moral teaching, it is not a scientific treatise.

That is why I’ve started inquiring and I’ve found out that I am not the only one who wants to change the established system: Copernicus is by my side!

As I want to help him and make the world realize that the Aristotelian view is not correct, I wrote my thesis in the form of a dialogue: “Dialogue concerning the two chief world systems”

In this scientific treatise, three people are talking: one is against this new theory, the other is in favour of the astronomical revolution and the third supports both theories, trying to understand which one is more correct. In the end, they get to repudiate the old Ptolemaic view and declare the supremacy of the Copernican one.

CARDINAL ROBERT BELLARMINE

 I am  Cardinal Robert Bellarmine, I decided to tell Galileo  to abandon and give up defending  Copernican views , because I am suspicious about his new ideas regarding the order of  the universe. I believe that considering Copernicanism in a serious way is a very dangerous attitude. Galileo must speak about it “hypothetically”.

Sandy Trombini

Narrator3

Rome

The Roman Inquisition calls Galileo to Rome

The Roman Inquisition calls Galileo to Rome.

Paola Marchesini

Narrator4

Rome

Inquisition

THE INQUISITION

The Inquisition task was  trying and convicting heretics  within the Roman Catholic Church.

The name inquisition comes from the latin verb inquiro.

Before the 12th century, the Western Christian Church already suppressed what it saw as heresy, usually through a system of  proscription or imprisonment, but rarely by means of torture or executions as this form of punishment had many ecclesiastical opponents.

The inquisition later extended its activity to include witches, diviners, and other sacrilegious people.

Carlotta Crivellari

Pope Urban VIII

Rome, The Trial

“How come does he dare…”

POPE URBAN VIII  Part 1

“How come does he dare to betray the truth? His dialogue is such a shame for the Church! I cannot believe that an aware person could have written such a horrible work! What would Our Lord say of that?

Galileo can not surely represent our history, our culture, our dogma which is undeniable truth.

God’s omnipotence can not be measured by Galileo’s words! Galileo? Puah. Who is this Galileo? An ignorant who cannot understand  the magnificence of our definite and certain knowledge!”

Letizia Zerbini

G.Bruno’s ghost

Rome

“Save your life!”

GIORDANO BRUNO’S GHOST

I am enlightened by your greatness and still I cannot show you the way to follow.

The truth and me, we are on your side but remember that time will give you the real reward.

 Science needs you alive.

 You have to continue publishing your works and express your thoughts .

 The fire of  truth burns in your heart and I know it hurts but you have to resist: I resisted and now I am here with you to fight. You see, it is a hard fight, which goes beyond physical life.

Save your life!

Stefania Spunton, Francesca Garbin

Andrea Sarti, Galileo

Rome

“Galileo, you will not abjure!”

I am Andrea Sarti, Galileo’s friend. I am sure that Galileo will not abjure: he taught me not to hide the truth and to continue my studies in order to improve and make new discoveries in the scientific field.

Silvia Segantin

Narrator1

Rome

Let us listen to…

part 3

Part 3

Let us listen to Galileo’s defense, represented by Castelli, Ciampoli and Barberini;

then you will find out that Galileo is not supported by everyone: there is still someone who thinks he should give up his ideas.

Anamaria Girdescu, Francesca Battilani, Alessia Vassalli, Giulia Casarotti

Castelli, Cardinal Barberini, Giovanni Ciampoli, Caccini

Rome

Voices in favour of and against Galileo

BENEDETTO CASTELLI, Galileo’s favourite disciple

                        I really think I should help him. He has done nothing wrong but the Inquisition seems to be blind, just as the Pope. The meaning of his Dialogue is worthy of respect and attention. And certainly it does not away with Catholic Church and Pope’s authority. This is a harmless work which could bring a considerable revolution in science. No one should rush to judge Galileo. Oh my dear friend! What are they doing to you?

Francesco Barberini

I am Francesco Barberini and I am one of the ten judges in this trial. I propose a lenient treatment for Galileo if he admits that the Dialogue went too far and violated papal instructions; moreover he has to make some revisions, so that his book, that is the Dialogue, can be distributed.

GIOVANNI CIAMPOLI

I am disappointed with my Superior, Pope Urban VIII.

 I spent many years as The Pope’s secretary. I was an excellent candidate for becoming a cardinal. And then, what have I got?

 I have always admired Galileo, his ideals and his cultural fight which focuses on science rather than the Bible’s beliefs.

I got information about the events in Rome and I supported Galileo. Thanks to me, he had the license for the printing of the Dialogue Concerning The Two Chief World Systems.

Then the hostilities with the Pope began.

Moreover, I supported the philosophy of his enemy, cardinal Borgia, and I lost everything. I’m persecuted, but I’m not scared. I’m sure Galileo is right and I will always be at his service.

I will always come into conflict with the Pope: that is why I am going to leave Rome.

TOMMASO CACCINI

I am Tommaso Caccini, a Dominican monk and a scandal-maker. I condamn mathematics and allege that Copernicanism is heretical, since it contradicts the Scripture’s descriptions of an Earth-centred system. I think Florence is full of Galileists, who support Copernican views and deny miracles.

G.Bruno’s ghost

Rome

“Save your life!”

Save your life, Galileo!

Elena Pavanello

Galileo’s daughter Virginia

Rome

“Dear father…”

VIRGINIA, Galileo’s daughter

Father, I’m your daughter Virginia. You know, I have always supported you, even if I am a nun and therefore I have to submit my Authorities. Whatever the trial’s ending may be, I will defend you and I will keep close to you.

Carlotta Crivellari

Pope Urban VIII

Rome

“He must abjure!...”

THE POPE  Part 2

“He must abjure!

The earth is in the centre of  the universe and God, the sun which enlightens us, is perfect!

Abjuration, and nothing else but abjuration! This is what I command.

If he doesn’t abjure, the holy Church, which detains the only truth, will not allow him to infest the world.

Abjuration, and nothing else but abjuration!”

Francesca Garbin

Galileo

Rome

Abjuration

GALILEO’S ABJURATION

Desiring to remove from the minds of your Eminences, and of all faithful Christians, this strong suspicion, reasonably conceived against me, with sincere heart and unfeigned faith I abiure, curse, and detest the aforesaid errors and heresies, and generally every other error and sect whatsoever contrary to the said Holy Church; and I swear that in the future I will never again say or assert, verbally or in writing, anything that might furnish occasion for a similar suspicion regarding me.

Stefania Spunton, Francesca Garbin

Galileo, Andrea Sarti

Rome

Final dialogue: I am condemned to live in a land with no heroes…

(Final part, after the trial)

ANDREA

I am condemned to live in a land with no heroes!

GALILEO

Wretched is a land which needs heroes!

ANDREA

I’m going to leave Italy and  go to the Netherlands. There, I will go on with my studies…After your abjuration, in Italy it is forbidden to publish books on new scientific theories.

GALILEO

So, go, and keep on inquiring. I have finished my Discourses…Bring them with you to the Netherlands.

ANDREA

What? The Mathematical discourses on mechanics and motion? But I thought you had given up!

GALILEO

No, never. If I had, no one else could have written what I had discovered. But I have to say that I was also afraid of physical sorrow.

VIRGINIA

Now you have to go, mister Sarti. My father doesn’t feel well.

ANDREA

Ok, good bye, mister Galilei.

Sandy Trombini

Narrator3

Rome

This is how it ended…

Part 4

Part 4

This is how it ended: Galileo was forced to deny all his ideals and theories in order to save his own life. After this fact, though, he did not give up studying, searching, inquiring. Science marked his whole life till the very end. His perseverance was worth the effort: after many years of conflict, the Copernican theory was accepted at last; now, almost 380 years after, we can say we live in a world based on knowledge and research.