Artisti in Piazza – International Festival of Performing Arts

A festival of performing arts in the heart of Valmarecchia

Artisti in Piazza is the international festival of performing arts that every year, in June, enlivens Pennabilli, a small village in the Apennines in the province of Rimini, in Emilia-Romagna. For four days, the historic centre of the municipality transforms into a large open-air theatre: the cobbled streets, squares, and courtyards become stages for shows ranging from street theatre to contemporary circus, from dance to live music, from clowning to puppet theatre.

Thirty years of live performance

Founded in 1997 and promoted by the Associazione Culturale Ultimo Punto, the festival has become a benchmark event for street arts in Italy. The artistic direction is entrusted to Enrico Partisani. Each edition attracts around 60 companies and over 200 artists from all over the world to Pennabilli, with a packed schedule of performances distributed across the various spaces of the village.

A multidisciplinary programme

The programme combines different languages: street theatre, contemporary circus, acrobatics, dance, puppet and marionette theatre, clowning, walking acts, immersive performances, and participatory projects, accompanied by live concerts ranging from folk to psychedelic rock, from ska to world music. Alongside the shows, the festival offers installations, exhibitions, and events designed for audiences of all ages.

Market, travelling kitchens, and village atmosphere

During the festival days, the village hosts the "Mercatino del solito e dell'insolito" (Market of the Usual and Unusual), dedicated to crafts and original creations, and the "Cucine Erranti" (Travelling Kitchens), offering gastronomic delights to enjoy while strolling between performances. The Palacirco area, with its tents, guarantees shows even in case of bad weather and extends the festivities late into the night.

Pennabilli, a village of art and culture

Nestled in the hills of the Valmarecchia, Pennabilli is a village linked to the memory of the poet Tonino Guerra and famous for its places of the soul. Artisti in Piazza enhances its intimate and evocative dimension, transforming every corner of the town into a meeting point between artists and spectators. For a weekend in June, the entire community and thousands of visitors experience together an event filled with wonder, participation, and amazement.