Cambia Menti Festival

A photonic festival in the Parma hills

The Cambia Menti Festival is a widespread event that takes place in the Municipality of Medesano, in the province of Parma (Emilia-Romagna), with its epicenter in the spa town of Sant'Andrea Bagni. Defined by the organizers as a "photonic festival", the event focuses on three keywords: environment, science, and community. The goal is both simple and ambitious: to increase the awareness of as many people as possible about the energy, technological, environmental, and food solutions that can make life on our planet more sustainable.

Origins

The event was born in 2025 from the concrete idea of two entrepreneurs from Medesano, Costantino Barbuti and Nicolò Morini, and is organized by the Nuova Pro Loco of Sant'Andrea Bagni with the support of the Municipality of Medesano. In just a few seasons, the festival has become a reference point for those who want to approach the themes of ecological transition in an accessible, rigorous, and never boring way, thanks to the presence of communicators capable of combining technical expertise and scientific credibility.

The Program

The heart of the festival is the Conference Area, which hosts meetings, lectio magistralis, and debates on climate change, renewable energies, chemistry, electric mobility, and sustainable food, also addressing controversial issues such as nuclear power. Alongside the educational meetings, the program includes:

• Workshops for all ages, with a dedicated space for children (CambiaMenti Kids);
• Markets and exhibition areas featuring local companies and associations, typical products, and innovative realities;
• Sports activities such as hill walks, trail running, mountain bike excursions, and the "photonic athletic morning";
• Shows, music, and convivial moments, with food trucks and areas dedicated to creativity;
• participatory initiatives such as the Swap Party dedicated to reuse.

Guests and Communicators

Over the years, the festival has brought some of the most well-known figures in Italian scientific and environmental communication to Medesano, including geologist and presenter Mario Tozzi, communicator Ruggero Rollini, content creator Fjona Cakalli, environmental journalist Ferdinando Cotugno, and Massimo Temporelli, alongside numerous researchers and industry professionals.

A widespread and free event

One of the most recognizable features of the Cambia Menti Festival is its widespread nature: the days are spread across several villages in the province of Parma, from the castle of Varano Melegari to Fornovo Taro, from Felegara to the spa heart of Sant'Andrea Bagni. Admission is entirely free: participants are only required to book for meetings and workshops with limited seating. An opportunity to spend a few days outdoors in the Parma hills, learning something new about the future of the planet.