Explore the first lecture of a mini-course on Fano manifolds and the Lefschetz defect, presented by Cinzia Casagrande from Torino, Italy, as part of the V Latin American School of Algebraic Geometry (V ELGA). Delve into advanced topics in algebraic geometry during this 1 hour and 25 minutes session, which is one of several mini-courses and panoramic talks offered at the CIMPA School in Cabo Frio, Brazil. Gain insights into cutting-edge research areas, network with fellow mathematicians, and contribute to the growing collaboration between researchers and students in Latin America and beyond.