Fili Sottili – Festival of Art, Health, and Inclusion

A festival weaving art, health, and inclusion

In the town of Ciriè, in the Province of Turin and just a short distance from the Valli di Lanzo, the Fili Sottili festival has quickly become a landmark event for those who believe that theatre and the arts can be concrete tools for care, dialogue, and social inclusion. Organized by the cultural association I Lunatici—the same Piedmontese group behind the renowned Lunathica street theatre festival—the event takes place every spring across Ciriè and Lanzo Torinese, utilizing public squares, historic villas, schools, and local cultural centres.

The meaning behind the title

«Fili Sottili» (Subtle Threads) evokes the fragile yet tenacious bonds that connect people: the invisible threads of mental health, relationships, and community. The festival was born with the goal of sharing artistic and theatrical experiences within a social context, while also creating opportunities for reflection and discussion on themes of mental distress, disability, and everything that can make society more welcoming and inclusive. The creator and creative director of the festival is Cristiano Falcomer.

Performances, conferences, and workshops

The programme alternates between different genres and languages: integrated social theatre performances, shows created with mixed groups of students and people with disabilities, literary readings, open conferences and debates, and theatre and creative workshops. The programme is organized into two main areas:

• one aimed at the general public and professionals, with events concentrated primarily at the Area Remmert in Ciriè;
• one dedicated to schools, involving students from kindergarten through high school.

A network of local partners

Fili Sottili relies on a dense network of collaborations: the festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture and is sponsored by the City of Ciriè, the City of Lanzo Torinese, the Regional Council of Piedmont, and the Metropolitan City of Turin. Partners include the social cooperative COESA, the C.I.S. of Ciriè, and TRAME – Piedmontese Network of Theatre and Diversity. All events are free of charge, confirming the festival's commitment to being a common good for the community of Ciriè and the entire Piedmont region.