Catalysi Festival
A night of performing arts, dance, music, and video art in Cesena
About Catalysi
What is the Catalysi Festival
The Catalysi Festival is a performing arts festival that takes place in Cesena, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in the heart of Romagna. Founded in 2022 by the historic theatre company Societas, it takes its name from the Greek katà lysis, the dissolution that releases new energies: the idea is precisely to catalyze the latent forces of contemporary creation and provoke "new perspectives" on live arts.
After the first two editions in 2022 and 2023 and a break of a few years, in 2026 the festival resumes with its third edition. It is an event concentrated in a single day-night: a true marathon of the gaze in which the spectator moves freely between places and disciplines.
A Festival Lasting One Night
Catalysi rejects the format of a multi-day review and chooses concentration. Everything happens in a few hours, from evening until late at night: performances, dance, electronic music, video art, sculpture, and digital art follow one another in a continuous flow. The works are not separated by intervals but intertwine, leaving the audience the freedom to build their own path from one room to another.
The Three Locations of the Festival
The festival inhabits three spaces in the center of Cesena, each with a precise character:
- San Biagio Arena — the open-air space, active without interruption as a sound and visual environment, with electronic live sets and a refreshment point;
- Comandini Theatre — the historic home of Societas, with the black box and white box rooms dedicated to shows and performances;
- Wooden Hall of the Malatestiana Library — the precious Renaissance environment that hosts the sculpture exhibition section.
Artistic Residencies
Catalysi is not just an evening of shows: it is the result of long-term work of studio and scenic realization residencies hosted at the Comandini Theatre throughout the year. The groups are selected by a committee composed of Claudia Castellucci and Guillermo de Cabanyes, as part of the regional project "Residencies for artists in the territories" of Emilia-Romagna. The festival thus becomes the public showcase of a research process that spans the entire season.
Why It's Worth It
For lovers of experimental theatre, performance, and experimental music, Catalysi is a rare opportunity to experience a panorama of different languages in a single night, in an intimate and high-quality setting. The presence of Societas, one of the most recognized entities on the Italian and international scene, guarantees a demanding and unconventional curatorial vision.
Catalysi — edition 2026
The 2026 edition marks the return of the Catalysi Festival after its first two editions in 2022 and 2023. The evening is conceived as a marathon of the gaze that traverses three locations in the center of Cesena. The artistic direction is by Guillermo de Cabanyes, with production by Societas and support from the Ministry of Culture and the Emilia-Romagna Region, in collaboration with the LAM Foundation for Contemporary Arts.
Programme Catalysi 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
The San Biagio Arena remains active without interruption from 7:15 PM to 1:15 AM as a sound and visual environment.
- 6:00 PM — Wooden Hall, Malatestiana Library: inauguration of the sculpture exhibition by Maria Deval, Schegge, small sculptures made from recycled materials;
- 7:15 PM — San Biagio Arena: live set by OvO, a duo that blends electronics, guitars, percussion, and vocals;
- 8:00 PM — Comandini Theatre (black box): Monia Montali / François Bodeux, Sur la nature des choses invisibles;
- 8:30 PM — Comandini Theatre (white box): Macarena Recuerda Shepherd, Se fosse un film;
- 9:30 PM — San Biagio Arena: live set by Torson + Rosset, electronic improvisation and live visuals;
- 10:15 PM — Comandini Theatre (black box): Ginevra Dolcemare, Foley;
- 11:00 PM — San Biagio Arena: live set by Gà bor Là zà r, electronic music between minimal rhythmic structures and abstract techno forms;
- 12:00 AM — Comandini Theatre (black box): Ha Kyoon, Buridan's Snares.
The program brings together about ten artistic groups from residencies hosted at the Comandini Theatre throughout the year.
Highlights Catalysi 2026
Among the most anticipated moments: the electronic live sets at the San Biagio Arena (OvO, Torson + Rosset, and the Hungarian Gà bor Là zà r), the sculpture exhibition by Maria Deval in the Wooden Hall of the Malatestiana Library, and the performances in the two rooms of the Comandini Theatre.
Prices Catalysi 2026
Practical information — Catalysi
When and Where
Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 6:00 PM to approximately 1:15 AM. The three locations (San Biagio Arena, Comandini Theatre, Wooden Hall of the Malatestiana Library) are in the historic center of Cesena, a short distance from each other.
How to Get There
By train: Cesena station is on the Bologna-Rimini-Ancona line, a few minutes from the center. By car: take the Cesena exit from the A14 motorway, then head towards the city center. The Comandini Theatre is located at Via Daniele Manin.
Tickets
For information on admission and reservations, please contact Societas ([email protected]) or the Culture Department of the Municipality of Cesena (tel. 0547 610892).
Refreshments
A bar and refreshment point is available at the San Biagio Arena for the entire duration of the festival.
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Where does it take place — Catalysi
Teatro Comandini, Arena San Biagio, Biblioteca Malatestiana
Via Daniele Manin 20, 47521 Cesena