Franco Enriquez National Festival and Award – City of Sirolo
A summer of theatre, art, and civic engagement in the village of Sirolo
About Franco Enriquez Award
The festival that intertwines theatre and civic engagement
The Franco Enriquez National Festival and Award – City of Sirolo is one of the most established cultural events in the Marche region. Every summer, for over a month and a half, the medieval village of Sirolo, overlooking the sea in the Conero Park in the province of Ancona, transforms into a widespread laboratory of theatre, art, and words. The heart of the festival is the Cortesi Municipal Theatre, an 18th-century gem in Piazza Franco Enriquez, but events also extend to the squares, alleys, and outdoor spaces of the historic center.
An award dedicated to a great director
The event is dedicated to the memory of Franco Enriquez, one of the most important theatre directors of the Italian 20th century, capable of moving with equal authority between classics and contemporary works. From this legacy, the award's vocation is born: to recognize artists and cultural operators each year who are committed to combining creativity with civil and social values. Organized by the Franco Enriquez Study Centre with the artistic direction of Paolo Larici, the festival offers what the organizers call "360-degree cultural communication".
What to experience in Sirolo
The program intertwines various forms of expression, all linked by the thread of commitment and artistic quality:
- Live theatrical and musical performances, often contemporary reinterpretations of great classics;
- Themed art exhibitions and installations set up in the village;
- Literary meetings, book presentations, and poetry readings;
- Talks with actors, directors, and artists, as well as the promotion of the Enriquezlab Archive.
The night of the gala
The climax is the awards gala evening, traditionally held on August 30th at the Cortesi Theatre: a night dedicated to theatre where major names from the Italian scene take the stage. Over the years, the award has celebrated actors, directors, musicians, companies, and cultural operators, establishing Sirolo as a benchmark for civic theatre in the Marche region and in Italy.
Sirolo and the Conero Riviera
Experiencing the festival also means discovering Sirolo, one of the most beautiful villages on the Adriatic coast, and the entire Conero Riviera area: white beaches, cliffs, panoramic trails, and hospitality that during the summer revolves around over two hundred events in the municipal summer program, of which the Enriquez Award is the cultural jewel in the crown.
Franco Enriquez Award — edition 2026
XXII Edition (2026)
The 22nd edition of the Franco Enriquez National Award takes place in Sirolo (province of Ancona, Marche region) from July 15 to August 30, 2026, as part of the municipality's rich summer program featuring over two hundred events. The Cortesi Municipal Theatre and the artistic direction of the Franco Enriquez Study Centre are confirmed.
For 2026, the festival maintains its identity as an event dedicated to theatre and culture of social and civic commitment, with live performances, exhibitions, literary meetings, and readings spread throughout the summer. The event culminates in the traditional gala evening on August 30th, dedicated to the presentation of awards to actors, directors, musicians, and cultural operators.
The dates for the 2026 edition are official; the complete program of performances and the names of the awardees will be announced by the organization in the weeks preceding the start of the festival.
Programme Franco Enriquez Award 2026
The official dates for the XXII edition are set from July 15 to August 30, 2026, with the awards gala evening on August 30th at the Cortesi Theatre.
The detailed calendar of theatrical and musical performances, exhibitions, and meetings, along with the list of 2026 awardees, will be published by the Franco Enriquez Study Centre in the weeks preceding the event. The usual structure of the festival includes:
- evening theatre performances at the Cortesi Municipal Theatre during the summer;
- themed art exhibitions and installations in the village;
- literary meetings, presentations, and poetry readings;
- the concluding gala evening with the presentation of national awards.
Highlights Franco Enriquez Award 2026
Awards gala evening on August 30, 2026, at the Cortesi Theatre, with national recognitions for artists and cultural operators. Summer program of performances, exhibitions, and meetings from mid-July.
Prices Franco Enriquez Award 2026
Practical information — Franco Enriquez Award
Where
Cortesi Municipal Theatre, Piazza Franco Enriquez, 60020 Sirolo (AN), in the historic center of the village. Some events take place in outdoor spaces in the town.
How to get there
By car: A14 motorway, exit Ancona Sud, then SP del Conero towards Sirolo. By train: Ancona station, then continue by bus or taxi to Sirolo. Nearest airport: Ancona-Falconara.
Tickets and information
The detailed program and access procedures for individual performances are published by the Franco Enriquez Study Centre. Information: tel. +39 338 844 8317 or +39 335 477 618, website enriquezlab.org.
Tip
In high summer, Sirolo is very crowded: book your accommodation in advance and combine your festival visit with a day at the beach or a hike in the Conero Park.
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 — Franco Enriquez Award
Teatro Comunale Cortesi
Piazza Franco Enriquez, 60020 Sirolo