Burattinarte Summertime — Novello Stop

Puppet theatre in Novello

Every summer, the village of Novello, overlooking the Langhe hills in the province of Cuneo, hosts one of the many stops of Burattinarte Summertime, the international puppet theatre festival promoted by the Burattinarte Cultural Association of Alba. The festival brings puppets, marionettes, and live theatre to the town square, challenging the idea that these art forms are only for children: the shows speak to both kids and adults.

A square that becomes a stage

The event takes place in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the historic town centre. The choice of the square is no coincidence: the festival was born to combine the popular, convivial dimension of public spaces with the artistic research of the guest companies. In case of bad weather, the show is usually moved indoors to the municipal multipurpose hall.

A festival spread across the Langhe and Roero

The Novello stop is part of a broader program that travels every year through numerous towns in the Langhe and Roero areas — including Alba, Bra, La Morra, Cherasco, Guarene, Grinzane Cavour, Murazzano, Castagnito, Piobesi d'Alba, and Lequio Berria. After the opening days in Alba, the schedule branches out into the villages throughout the summer with dozens of shows, almost always with free admission.

An international festival

Directed by Claudio Giri and Consuelo Conterno, Burattinarte has an international vocation: its editions feature both Italian and foreign companies, with artists coming from as far as Argentina, Cuba, Chile, and Switzerland. For Novello and the other Langhe villages, this means being able to enjoy high-quality puppet theatre right on their doorstep, blending popular tradition with contemporary language.

Why it's worth it

• Open-air show in one of the most picturesque squares in the Langhe.
• Free admission, suitable for families, children, and adults.
• A great opportunity to discover Novello and its wine-growing territory in September.