What is the Global Sumud Flotilla that will sail to Gaza? From Barbero to Mannoia, who supports the initiative?

Dozens of vessels from 44 countries are setting sail for Gaza in a global uprising of solidarity. Italian artists and men and women of culture are also launching an appeal against the violence and for the dignity of the Palestinian people. The Global Sumud Flotilla is about to set sail for Gaza , sending a message of solidarity, hope, and resistance across seas and continents. Dozens of vessels from 44 countries are preparing to cast off from Spain on August 31st and Tunisia on September 4th, challenging the Israeli naval blockade with a clear and urgent goal: to deliver vital humanitarian aid and restore dignity to those living under an endless siege.

"Sumud," the Arabic word meaning resilience , is more than just a name. It is the silent strength of the Palestinian people, the ability to resist even when all seems lost. It is this same strength that today inspires thousands of people around the world. They are making possible a mission that is not only humanitarian, but an act of nonviolent civil resistance, a global uprising of solidarity that seeks to create a maritime corridor for those suffering in Gaza and inspire simultaneous demonstrations around the world.

The Flotilla was born from the union of three major initiatives: the Freedom Flotilla Coalition , the Global Movement for Gaza , and the Maghreb Sumud Convoy. Behind the numbers are faces, stories, and lives intertwined to say no to indifference and yes to justice. Activists include doctors ready to care for those without assistance, journalists eager to tell the truth that too often goes unrevealed, lawyers fighting for human rights , and ordinary people who choose not to look the other way.

A pro-Pal protest in France

Culture, too, is joining the cry for solidarity. Artists and public figures have taken up the challenge of spreading the Flotilla 's message: from Zerocalcare to Alessandro Gassmann, Claudio Santamaria, Subsonica, Alessandro Barbero , and many others. Internationally, voices like Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon, and Liam Cunningham have launched appeals to support the mission, share content on social media, and keep attention focused on the plight of Gaza. This is concrete proof that art, music, cinema, and culture can become powerful tools for change, amplifying messages that would otherwise remain silent.

Greta Thunberg's video "The Flotilla" is also a call to action for anyone who wants to make a difference. You don't need to be on board a ship: you can contribute by sharing content on social media, supporting the mission financially, or participating in local awareness-raising initiatives. Every gesture counts, every voice makes a difference. It's a unique opportunity to make your voice heard for peace, justice, and freedom, and to demonstrate that solidarity knows no borders.

IDF ground forces in Gaza

But the battle for collective consciousness doesn't stop at the sea. At the Venice Film Festival , Italian artists also wrote an open letter urging the Festival to stand against what they call an ongoing genocide. Among the signatories are prominent names such as Carolina Crescentini, Serena Dandini, Fiorella Mannoia, Gabriele Muccino, Alba and Alice Rohrwacher, Pietro Sermonti, Claudio Santamaria, Toni Servillo, and Marco Bellocchio.

Their stand demonstrates how culture can become a universal megaphone, capable of reaching millions of people and reminding them that, in the face of injustice, silence is not an option. Each Flotilla ship carries stories, emotions, and hopes: boxes of medicine, food, drinking water, but also letters and messages of solidarity that will cross the sea to reach those who are suffering. And behind every concrete gesture lies a greater idea: to demonstrate that resistance is not measured only by weapons, but also by solidarity , compassion, and the determination to never give up.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a promise: an embrace that spans the Mediterranean, a tangible sign that the world will never forget. It is the voice of those who choose to stand alongside those who suffer, those who fight for dignity, those who believe that a future of peace is possible. It is a journey that transcends geographical borders, a global call. Because solidarity is not a singular gesture, but a collective movement : a beacon in the darkness, a hand reaching out across the waves, a clear and powerful message: no one is alone, no one should give up.