by Tamara Pastorelli
From 4 to 6 July, Polo Lionello Bonfanti will host ‘Parole laiche di economia biblica’ (Secular words of biblical economics), a residential workshop intertwining the art of storytelling and economics with stories from the Bible. The partners involved in this educational experience include the Economy of Francesco, Polo Lionello Bonfanti, Avvenire and Federcasse. The aim? To find new words and narratives to restore the soul to the economy. We discuss this with Luca Iacovone of the Economy of Francesco Foundation.
Luca, why this workshop? What is wrong with the language used today to talk about economics?
The language is very technical and exclusive, and often creates the idea that economics is a subject for a few experts who apply pre-established rules or formulas. However, through our experience with the Economy of Francesco and the Polo, we have learned that there is an alternative: an economy that prioritises people, the protection of our common home, and peace. It is an economy made up of people and capable of speaking to everyone. This is the commitment we made with Pope Francis in 2019: to give the economy back its soul.
How can we convey to our readers what will happen during ‘Secular Words of Biblical Economics’?
We will bring together theologians and economists with artists who work with words, such as writers and musicians, to create narratives. Together with the participants, we will try to create actual publications, such as stories, articles and podcasts, from this cross-pollination. Throughout the process, communication professionals who are partners and promoters of the event will accompany us.
In your opinion, how can storytelling change the way we view economics?
Last year, as part of the Economy of Francesco initiative, we launched the Griot research group, which explores the potential of stories and narratives to build narrative capital and new references for a new economy. In African culture, ‘griots’ were storytellers who travelled from village to village, passing on traditional stories with which the people could identify. With ‘Parole laiche di economia biblica’ (Secular Words of Biblical Economics), we are trying to build on the experience of ‘Griot’ by combining it with the School of Biblical Economics at Polo Lionello Bonfanti. We are exploring the possibility of finding, within the vast repository of stories and narratives that is the Bible, words that can help build a new economy.
What do you mean by ‘narrative capital’?
It is the heritage of stories, images, symbols and words that a community, organisation or person preserves, transmits and renews over time. Like all capital, it is a form of intangible yet concrete wealth that generates fruit, guides choices, keeps identity alive and opens up the future. It is not just ‘storytelling’. It is something deeper and more vital. It is what holds us together when everything changes. It is the story we can tell ourselves during a crisis, transformation or new beginning. This ability stems from our capacity to both tell and be told stories. Every great enterprise, movement or community begins when someone transforms an intuition into a story, a fact into a narrative or an ideal into a shared narrative. This is particularly important in times of crisis, when structures falter but stories endure.
With living narrative capital, stories inspire action and change, guide economies and educate people about care and justice. In today’s world of marketing, where storytelling is used to sell products, narrative capital becomes a political and prophetic act — telling stories not to conquer, but to preserve and generate generosity. Just like our grandparents’ fairy tales. Just like the Bible.
Who is the workshop aimeto d at?
Young people. However, we have not specified a particular age group. We hope to reach 17-year-olds 35-year-olds who want to engage with these issues. Our aim is to create a diverse class comprising social entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, economics scholars, people from the world of finance, other economic operators, communicators, and artists. Our hope is that this will lead to the formation of another working group that will continue to collaborate as a living offshoot of Economy of Francesco.
To apply for ‘Parole laiche di economia biblica’, please send your CV and covering letter to comunicazione@edicspa.com. Participation is free for all those selected. The deadline is 20 June. Further information is available on the Polo Bonfanti website.