Falastin Festival
The Palestinian culture festival in Rome: music, cinema, literature, dance, and cuisine
About Falastin Festival
A festival telling the story of Palestine in Rome
Since 2020, the Falastin Festival has been the go-to event for experiencing Palestinian culture in the capital. Born from the initiative of the Palestinian Community of Rome and Lazio in collaboration with the Friends of the Palestinian Red Crescent association, the festival has built a loyal following over just a few editions, ranging from local families and university students to associations and curious passersby. The formula remains unchanged: a public space in the Municipality of Rome transformed for a few days into a Mediterranean square, with completely free admission.
A multidisciplinary event
«Falastin» is simply the Arabic name for Palestine, and the program strives to convey its cultural richness without filters. Each edition brings together diverse disciplines:
- Literature and poetry — book presentations, poetry readings, and meetings with authors;
- Live music — evening concerts ranging from Arabic repertoires to multi-ethnic orchestras, rap, and collaborations with other Mediterranean folk traditions;
- Dabke dance — the collective Palestinian folk dance, which invites the public to join in every evening;
- Cinema and documentaries — open-air evening screenings, often Roman premieres, followed by discussions;
- Art, crafts, and photography — painting exhibitions, embroidery displays, and fashion shows featuring the thoub, the traditional embroidered dress;
- Palestinian cuisine — one of the most beloved aspects, with traditional dishes served every evening.
Debates and testimonies
Alongside the artistic program, the Falastin Festival dedicates significant space to in-depth discussions: the Palestinian issue as seen by the youth, Italy's role, international law, and direct testimonies from those arriving from Gaza and the West Bank. Over the years, the stage has hosted parliamentarians, local Roman municipal administrators, journalists, international law experts, representatives of humanitarian organizations, and diplomats. Cultural activities are regularly accompanied by fundraising and solidarity initiatives supporting the health services of the Red Crescent.
From Testaccio to San Lorenzo
The festival has changed venues several times while always remaining in iconic parts of the city. The 2025 edition took place at the Città dell'Altra Economia, within the spaces of the former Testaccio slaughterhouse, as part of the Testaccio Estate program. In 2026, the festival moved to San Lorenzo, a historic working-class and university district, at the Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943 — a site with deep symbolic significance, named after the victims of the bombing that struck the neighborhood during the Second World War.
A Roman and regional landmark
Within the cultural landscape of the Municipality of Rome and the wider Lazio Region, the Falastin Festival occupies a unique position: it is neither a simple ethnic showcase nor an exclusively political event, but a community festival that uses culture as a language for connection. Those who arrive knowing nothing about Palestine find an accessible path — a plate of maqluba, an impromptu dabke lesson, a film, a conversation — while those already familiar with it find an annual gathering point. Free admission and the open-air setting in the heart of the Roman summer make it an easy addition to any stay in the capital.
Falastin Festival — edition 2026
Falastin 2026: the seventh edition in San Lorenzo
Following the 2025 edition in Testaccio, the 2026 Falastin Festival chose San Lorenzo, occupying the Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943 for four days. A change of venue that brought the festival closer to the university public and local associations, in dialogue with other summer events hosted in the same park.
The program alternated daily between in-depth discussions in the late afternoon and artistic performances in the evening, concluding with concerts around 10:00 PM. Throughout the festival, painting and Palestinian craft exhibitions remained open, featuring thoub fashion shows, daily dabke dance, and traditional cuisine served every evening. Free admission to all events.
Guests and themes
Debates featured Italian parliamentarians — including Laura Boldrini, Stefania Ascari, and Dario Carotenuto — local administrators such as Francesca Del Bello, president of Rome's Municipality II, activists, Palestinian representatives, journalists, international law experts, and diplomats. Organizers Adila and Yusef Salman hosted the four days, which combined political reflection, memory, and popular celebration.
Programme Falastin Festival 2026
Thursday, June 18
- 7:00 PM — Palestinian folk dance dabke
- 7:15 PM — Inauguration and debate on the Global Sumud Flotilla
- 9:00 PM — Screening of the documentary «Gaza: Doctors Under Attack»
Friday, June 19
- 6:00 PM — Meeting «Youth and the Palestinian Question»
- 8:00 PM — Debate on the Popular Initiative Resolution
- From 10:00 PM — Concerts by PULKRA and NA GAEIL DO GAZA
Saturday, June 20
- 6:00 PM — Presentation of the book «La Brigata ebraica» by Alberto Fazolo
- 8:00 PM — Fashion show of traditional Palestinian dresses (thoub)
- 8:30 PM — Meeting «Italy and the Palestinian Question»
- 10:00 PM — Concert by KENTO
Sunday, June 21
- 1:00 PM — Lunch with Gazan families
- 3:30 PM — Meeting «Palestine, what future?»
- 5:30 PM — Presentation of the book «La Pace è Femmina»
- 6:30 PM — Poetry reading
- 8:00 PM — Debate «Palestine: the Right to Exist»
- 10:00 PM — Concert by the OMAR Multi-ethnic Orchestra
Throughout the festival: painting and Palestinian craft exhibitions, dabke dance, traditional cuisine every evening, fundraising, and petition signing in support of solidarity initiatives.
Highlights Falastin Festival 2026
- The documentary «Gaza: Doctors Under Attack» screened outdoors on the opening night
- Evening concerts: PULKRA and NA GAEIL DO GAZA, KENTO's rap, and the OMAR Multi-ethnic Orchestra
- The fashion show of traditional embroidered dresses, the thoub, on Saturday, June 20
- Sunday lunch with Gazan families hosted in Rome
- Daily dabke dance, open to public participation
- Palestinian cuisine served every evening in the park
Prices Falastin Festival 2026
Practical information — Falastin Festival
Location
The 2026 edition was held at the Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943, in the San Lorenzo district (Rome, 00185). The 2025 edition took place at the Città dell'Altra Economia, Largo Dino Frisullo, Testaccio.
Getting there
San Lorenzo is a few minutes' walk from Roma Termini station, served by tram lines 3 and 19 and numerous bus routes. Tiburtina station, with national rail connections and airport links, is just a few stops away. Driving is not recommended: the neighborhood has very limited parking on event evenings.
Admission and hours
Free admission to all events. Activities run from late afternoon (around 6:00 PM) until late at night, with concerts usually starting at 10:00 PM. Palestinian cuisine is available every evening.
Tips
Bring water and light clothing: the venue is outdoors. For the updated program, follow the official website and the festival's Facebook and Instagram pages, where daily posters are published.
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Where does it take place — Falastin Festival
Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943 (San Lorenzo)
Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943, San Lorenzo, 00185 Roma