DISFEST – International Festival of Performing Arts and Live Entertainment
The international festival of performing arts and live entertainment in Barletta
About DISFEST
A new international festival in the City of the Disfida
DISFEST is the first International Festival of Performing Arts and Live Entertainment in Barletta, the capital city of the Barletta-Andria-Trani province in Apulia. The event debuts in 2026 as the public outcome of a multi-year programme of masterclasses, artistic residencies, and training led by the I Nuovi Scalzi association, bringing a programme that weaves together theatre, contemporary dance, live music, mask work, and new scenic languages to the heart of the city.
The Castello Svevo as a stage
The heart of the festival is the scenic Piazza d'Armi of the Norman-Swabian Castle in Barletta, which hosts evening performances under the stars. The castle's spaces, including its evocative dungeons, also host masterclasses and training sessions, while other events take place at Masque – Arte e Ristoro in Piazza della Disfida and at the local Mondadori Bookstore. It is a dialogue between monumental heritage and contemporary creation that enhances the historic centre of Barletta.
Programming and international guests
The artistic direction, led by Olga Mascolo, Michele Ragno, and Savino Maria Italiano, offers a line-up that alternates between Italian productions and international guests. Among the highlights is the Berlin-based company Familie Flöz, masters of mask theatre, who will lead an international masterclass and a public performance. The programme also includes narrative theatre, contemporary dance, meetings with authors and actors, and concerts blending piano and electronics.
- Theatre and storytelling with new Apulian productions and co-productions
- Contemporary dance with internationally trained performers
- Live music spanning acoustic and electronic styles
- Masterclasses and residencies for young artists and performers
A project for the local area
Supported by the Ministry of Culture through the Boarding Pass Plus grant and by the Apulia Region, with the patronage of the Municipality of Barletta, DISFEST was born with the ambition of becoming a staple of the Apulian summer, capable of attracting both audiences and live entertainment professionals. The formula combines advanced training, production, and programming, offering young local artists the opportunity to engage with European-level masters and companies.
DISFEST — edition 2026
DISFEST 2026 inaugurates its first edition in Barletta with a programme spread across the Castello Svevo, the Masque in Piazza della Disfida, and the Mondadori Bookstore. Evening performances, at 9:15 PM, animate the Piazza d'Armi of the castle, while the international masterclass by the company Familie Flöz (June 24–July 4) takes place in the dungeons.
Key events include: June 27, Author Encounters with free admission featuring actors Ivana Lotito and Michele Venitucci; June 28, Le Tragicomiche – Vita da eroi, a co-production by the companies Crest and I Nuovi Scalzi inspired by Homer; July 2, ARKAICO – Piano & Electronics by composer Francesco Santalucia with video projections; July 4, an evening with four performances, including the showcase of the Familie Flöz masterclass, What stays / Cosa resta, Is everything okay?, and Pizzicata; July 5, the closing with I Fabliaux – Rapsodia per un attore, directed by Savino Maria Italiano and performed by Pietro Quadrino.
Programme DISFEST 2026
2026 Programme
- June 27, 7:00 PM – Author Encounters with Ivana Lotito and Michele Venitucci (free admission) – Masque, Piazza della Disfida
- June 28, 9:15 PM – Le Tragicomiche – Vita da eroi (co-production Crest / I Nuovi Scalzi) – Piazza d'Armi of the Castle
- July 2, 9:15 PM – ARKAICO – Piano & Electronics, Francesco Santalucia with video projections – Piazza d'Armi
- July 4, 9:15 PM – Evening with four performances: Familie Flöz (masterclass showcase), What stays / Cosa resta, Is everything okay?, Pizzicata – Piazza d'Armi
- July 5, 9:15 PM – I Fabliaux – Rapsodia per un attore, directed by Savino Maria Italiano, with Pietro Quadrino – Piazza d'Armi
- June 24–July 4 – International masterclass by the company Familie Flöz in the castle dungeons
Highlights DISFEST 2026
Prices DISFEST 2026
Practical information — DISFEST
Getting there
By train: Barletta station is on the Adriatic line; from the square, the Castello Svevo can be reached on foot in a few minutes. By car: A14 motorway, Andria-Barletta exit, then follow signs for the city centre. By plane: Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport is approximately 60 km away.
Tickets
Tickets are available online via Vivaticket and at the Barletta Castle Bookshop (Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:15 PM). Discounts are available for students, and admission is free for those under 18 and people with disabilities; some events are free of charge.
Information
Official website: www.disfest.it – Email: [email protected] – Tel. +39 0883 532569.
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Where does it take place — DISFEST
Piazza d'Armi del Castello Svevo
Piazza Castello, 76121 Barletta