Arrivano dal Mare! – International Festival of Puppets and Figures

The 51st edition of the International Festival of Puppets and Figures «Arrivano dal Mare!» was held from May 20 to 24, 2026, between Ravenna and Gambettola, organized by Teatro del Drago. The theme of the edition was nomadism, understood as journey, encounter, and transformation, with a dedicated focus on Lithuania and the dialogue with the port festival «De Portibus» within the framework of Ravenna European Capital of the Sea.

Approximately fifty events involved numerous venues in Ravenna — Artificerie Almagià, La Casa delle Marionette, Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste, Biblioteca Classense, Teatro Rasi, MAR Museum, and Rocca Brancaleone — as well as spaces in Gambettola, including La Stazione degli Artisti. Shows for children and adults, hybrid forms with music and dance, experiments with artificial intelligence, exhibitions, meetings, and advanced training courses made up an international programme.

Wednesday, May 20

• 8:00 PM — Teatro Rasi (Ravenna): Opening with the Franco-Argentinian company La Muette, «The Faulse Orchestra», a wordless show blending music and puppets with Santiago Moreno.
• 9:30 PM — Spazio Z.A.R.A.: Masque Teatro, «Voodoo», directed by Lorenzo Bazzocchi, with Eleonora Sedioli (for adult audiences).

Thursday, May 21

• 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM — Spazio Z.A.R.A.: «Little Worlds» by the Kaunas State Theatre (Lithuania), for children.
• 11:30 AM — Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste: Round table on Lithuanian figure theatre with Ambassador Dalia Kreiviene and directors of international festivals.
• 1:30 PM — Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste: Meeting on contemporary figure theatre with Antonio Volpone (ATER Fondazione).
• 7:00 PM — Spazio Z.A.R.A.: «Hearts and Chimneys» (for adults).
• 8:00 PM — Spazio Z.A.R.A.: «The Walker» by Chilean artist David Zuazola.
• 9:30 PM — Rocca Brancaleone: «Critters» with Eva Luna Betelli.

Saturday, May 23

• Darsena of Ravenna: The landing of artists from the sea, with their arrival by sailboat and the parade along the quay, the festival's symbolic moment.

Workshops and Training (May 20–29)

• AnimaTO, manipulation techniques with Tonino Murru (May 20–22, Ravenna).
• «The performer, the object and the secret» with Yael Rasooly (May 23, Ravenna, in English).
• Masterclass on dialogue with matter with Marzia Gambardella (May 28–29, Gambettola).

Exhibitions and Special Projects

• ORIPHOEA, «Mille origami in mostra» by Lorenzo Gianmario Galli.
• ANIMATAZINE, trilingual experimental fanzine (Italian/French/English) dedicated to animation theatre.
• In Gambettola, a tribute to puppeteer Romano Danielli at La Stazione degli Artisti.

• The landing of artists from the sea and the parade in the Darsena (Saturday, May 23).
• The opening at Teatro Rasi with the Franco-Argentinian company La Muette.
• The focus on Lithuania with the Kaunas State Theatre and the round table with Ambassador Dalia Kreiviene.
• Around 50 events and artists from over 14 countries.

How to get there

Gambettola is easily reachable from the Cesena Nord or Rubicone exit of the A14 motorway, along the Via Emilia between Cesena and Rimini. Gambettola railway station is on the Bologna–Rimini–Ancona line. Ravenna, the festival's second venue, is connected by train and car (A14dir / E55).

Tickets

Shows for all audiences: full price €7, reduced €5. Shows for teens and adults: full price €12, reduced €7. Family ticket €20 (2 adults + 2 children). Festival Pass €80 for access to all shows. Exhibitions, meetings, and outdoor events are free admission; free for under 3s, people with disabilities, and their companions.

Information

Organisation: Teatro del Drago. Tel. +39 392 6664211, [email protected]. Main ticket office at Teatro Rasi, Via di Roma 39, Ravenna.