EuroPuppet - International Traveling Puppet Theatre Festival (Civiasco stop)

EuroPuppet: Puppet theatre in the heart of Valsesia

Every summer, the EuroPuppet International Traveling Puppet Theatre Festival transforms the villages of the Upper Valsesia valley into an open-air stage dedicated to puppets, marionettes, figures, shadows, and object theatre. One of the stops on the tour is Civiasco, a small town in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, overlooking the lower Valsesia valley at the foot of the Sacro Monte di Varallo. Here, the show is performed outdoors in an intimate, family-friendly atmosphere at the La Valle Playground, which becomes a kingdom of animated figures for the afternoon.

A traveling international festival

EuroPuppet is organized by Kirby Teatro - La Bottega Teatrale APS of Fontanetto Po (VC), a group active since 1995 in youth and puppet theatre, under the artistic direction of Giuseppe Cardascio and Salvatore Varvaro. The festival is not competitive in the traditional sense: it is the audience who, by voting, rewards the most appreciated performances. The festival winds through various towns in the Upper Valsesia valley—including Civiasco, Varallo, Balmuccia, and Scopello—before continuing into the Bassa Vercellese area (Crescentino, Fontanetto Po, Lamporo) and reaching the Province of Turin in Grugliasco for the first time.

Shows for families and children

The program offers a selection of productions designed for families: classic stories and new plays brought to life with various techniques, from puppets and marionettes to shadow theatre. The guest companies come from various Italian regions and abroad, offering a broad look at the contemporary puppet theatre scene.

• Free admission to all shows
• Program suitable for children, teenagers, and families
• Outdoor performances at the La Valle Playground
• Italian and international companies

Civiasco and the Upper Valsesia

Bringing a puppet theatre festival to a village like Civiasco means combining the magic of animated figures with the beauty of the Valsesia mountains. The small town in the Province of Vercelli is known for its lively summer cultural program and the Ercole Durio Civic Museum. The festival is an opportunity to discover the Upper Valsesia in summer, combining live entertainment with walks, nature, and local gastronomy. For families on vacation in the area, EuroPuppet is a high-quality cultural event that highlights small villages and their role as social and artistic hubs.