Fuochi Comuni

Fuochi Comuni: contemporary theatre in the heart of Salento

Fuochi Comuni is the theatre festival that has been enlivening Spongano—a small town in the lower Salento area of the province of Lecce, in the most authentic part of Puglia—since 2025. Born from the project of the same name, which won the Puglia Region's «Luoghi Comuni» public call, the event brings innovative theatre and contemporary creation to a town of only a few thousand residents, proving that high-quality culture is not the exclusive domain of large cities.

A festival curated by Ultimi Fuochi Teatro

The artistic direction is led by Alessandra Crocco and Alessandro Miele, the driving forces behind the Ultimi Fuochi Teatro company, a social enterprise recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a theatrical production body in the innovation sector. The project features nationally renowned companies and artists—from Fanny & Alexander to Menoventi, from Claudio Morici to the Collettivo Kontrora, and Andrea Cosentino—who perform alongside the Salento-based company's own productions.

Performances, readings, and workshops

The programme alternates between offerings for adults and families, with a special focus on younger generations. Alongside evening performances, there are dedicated children's events, participatory happenings that directly involve the audience, and ongoing initiatives like Pinocchio a puntate, a complete live reading of Carlo Collodi's novel. The programme is rounded out by theatre and music workshops, literary events, and training sessions.

• Theatre for adults with nationally renowned companies
• Festival for children and family theatre
• Readings, storytelling, and participatory happenings
• Theatre and music workshops open to the community

The venue: the Youth Aggregation Centre

Events take place in the Youth Aggregation Centre on Via Pio XII, a former covered market returned to the community and transformed into a cultural and social hub for all ages. In addition to performances, the facility hosts study and co-working spaces, self-construction workshops, and activities aimed at local youth.

A project for the Spongano community

Supported by the Municipality of Spongano, the Union of Terre a Levante Municipalities, and the Puglia Region, Fuochi Comuni is more than just a theatre season: it is a permanent cultural outpost that weaves together art, education, and participation. In a corner of Salento far from mass tourism circuits, the festival offers residents and visitors the chance to experience theatre as a collective, everyday activity.