Festival of Natural Rights of Girls and Boys

A festival for the natural rights of childhood

The Festival of Natural Rights of Girls and Boys takes place at the Sorrivoli Castle, an ancient Malatesta fortress perched in the hamlet of the same name in the Municipality of Roncofreddo, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in the heart of the Romagna hills. The event was created to give shape and voice to the thought of the Cesena-based pedagogue Gianfranco Zavalloni, author of the famous decalogue of the natural rights of children: the right to idleness, to get dirty, to smells, to dialogue, to use of hands, to a good start, to the street, to the wild, to silence, and to nuances.

Free creative workshops

The program revolves around numerous workshops, all free to attend, led by artisans, artists, and educators who work with natural materials and traditional techniques. Among the proposals:

• Illustrated poetry with Fabio Molari and illustrator Sara Pizzinelli
• Sand pencils with Roberto Papetti, one of the most refined builders of simple toys
• Therapeutic calligraphy with Simone Cannolicchio, discovering the power of beautiful writing
• Puppets and folk tales with Sergio Diotti
• Seed bombs made with earth and clay with Lia Maggioli
• Fabric printing by Stamperia Pascucci
• Traditional weaving with Francesco Angelini

Meetings and reflections

Alongside the workshops, the festival hosts moments of discussion on childhood pedagogy, with the participation of guarantors, educators, and scholars. There is also space for poetry, with meetings dedicated to the relationship between words, listening, and the world of children. It is an opportunity for dialogue for parents, teachers, and educators interested in a slow and respectful vision of growth.

An experience immersed in nature

The setting of Sorrivoli Castle, immersed in the green countryside between Roncofreddo and Cesena, is an integral part of the experience: puppet shows, illustrated readings, and outdoor games restore the sense of a free, hands-on, and curious childhood. Organized by the Municipality of Roncofreddo together with the association Il Gruppo della Lumaca and the cooperative Koinè, the festival represents a precious event in the cultural calendar of Emilia-Romagna dedicated to education and the rights of the youngest.