Fi Fest - Simone Mellone Memorial
The charity festival in Massafra featuring music, theatre, and art in memory of Simone Mellone
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Fi Fest
A festival born from the heart of Massafra
The Fi Fest - Simone Mellone Memorial is much more than just a festival: it is the way the city of Massafra, in the province of Taranto, has chosen to remember Simone Mellone, a young man who died at only twenty years old from cancer. Organized by the Roots Association, the event has quickly become one of the most cherished charity initiatives in Puglia, drawing thousands of people and turning private grief into a collective act of generosity.
Solidarity as the driving force
The hallmark of Fi Fest is its charitable nature: all proceeds are donated to the Nadia Toffa pediatric onco-hematology ward at the Santissima Annunziata hospital in Taranto. The figures reflect an impressive growth: from 18,000 euros in the first edition to 130,000 euros raised in 2024. Every ticket and every attendee thus becomes a concrete contribution to the fight against childhood cancer.
Music, theatre, and street art
The festival spans several days and blends different artistic expressions. The beating heart is the major urban concert, which has brought some of the biggest names in Italian rap to Massafra over the years. There is also space for theatre, with performances hosted at the Nicola Resta Municipal Theatre, and for visual arts, with tattoo conventions, street art sessions, and freestyle contests animating the town centre. The patron of the initiative is Kid Yugi, a rapper originally from Massafra, who has closely linked his name to the festival.
A late-summer event in Puglia
Held in September, Fi Fest ideally closes the summer season in the Terra delle Gravine, offering residents and visitors another reason to discover Massafra and its surrounding area. The formula, which weaves together popular music, social commitment, and deep community roots, makes it a unique event in the Puglian festival landscape.
The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: this page will be updated as soon as the Roots Association releases the schedule and program.
Fi Fest — edition 2026
At the moment, the Roots Association has not yet announced the dates for the 2026 edition of the Fi Fest - Simone Mellone Memorial. Based on previous editions, the event is expected in September in Massafra, in the province of Taranto, featuring the usual format that combines a major urban concert, theatrical performances, and street art, with all proceeds donated to charity. The detailed program and the lineup will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.
Practical information — Fi Fest
Getting there
Massafra is located along the SS7 Appia state road, between Taranto and Bari. By car, it can be reached via the Massafra exit on the SS106 Jonica or the SS7. The Massafra-Chiatona railway station is served by the Taranto-Metaponto line.
Venues
The main festival locations are the Via Potenza performance area for concerts and the Nicola Resta Municipal Theatre for theatrical shows.
Tickets and charity
Admission to the concerts is ticketed, and all proceeds are donated to the pediatric onco-hematology ward of the Taranto hospital. Information regarding dates, prices, and pre-sales is published by the Roots Association closer to the event.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Fi Fest
Area spettacolo di via Potenza / Teatro Comunale Nicola Resta