Attraverso Festival: "Francesco" with Aldo Cazzullo and Angelo Branduardi

Saint Francis recounted in Busca

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:00 PM, the Parco Museo dell'Ingenio in Busca (Province of Cuneo) will host "Francesco", one of the headline performances of the 2026 Attraverso Festival. For the second consecutive year, Busca joins the lineup of this widespread festival in southern Piedmont, featuring two major figures of the Italian cultural scene: journalist and writer Aldo Cazzullo, providing the narrative, and singer-songwriter Angelo Branduardi, with his voice, violin, and lute, accompanied by pianist Fabio Valdemarin.

The Performance: 800 Years of Saint Francis

"Francesco" was created to mark the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026) and is part of the Jubilee Year celebrations. The show blends historical storytelling with original music: Cazzullo’s words trace the life, spirituality, and contemporary relevance of the Saint of Assisi, while Branduardi’s music gives substance to a narrative that explores themes of faith, poetry, and collective memory. It is a dialogue between history and song that restores the figure of Francis in all his power, still capable of speaking to the present day.

A Setting Between Art and Nature

The Parco Museo dell'Ingenio, located in the area of the former Capuchin Convent in Busca, is a space that merges art, ingenuity, and landscape. The choice of venue is no coincidence: the Ingenium association has dedicated the 2026 season to the city's Franciscan history, and the open-air evening performance is part of a broader effort to promote the cultural heritage of the Cuneo area.

The Attraverso Festival

The Attraverso Festival is a widespread cultural event that brings life to villages, hills, castles, and parks across the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo every summer from July to September. Set among the Langhe, Monferrato, Roero, and Piedmontese Apennines—landscapes largely recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites—the festival features concerts, theatrical performances, and talks in unconventional locations, with a focus on high-quality programming and a deep connection to the host sites. The 2026 edition runs from July 13 to September 19 across approximately 25 municipalities in southern Piedmont.

Why You Should Attend

Attending "Francesco" is a unique opportunity to combine the art of storytelling with great music on a summer evening in a picturesque setting in Busca. It is the perfect occasion for those who love social theater and Italian singer-songwriter music, as well as for those looking to discover a fascinating corner of the Province of Cuneo and Piedmont.