Il Geometra Sognante

A festival born from a dream

Il Geometra Sognante is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Orta Nova, a town in the Tavoliere area of the Province of Foggia, in the heart of Puglia. The festival was founded to honor the memory of Maurizio Ferrandina, a young local musician and an unforgettable figure in the Capitanata rock scene: he was a surveyor (geometra) who dreamed of music, and from that dream, his friends built an event that brings together bands, artists, and citizens every year.

With the subtitle "stories of music and friendship," the event is much more than a simple tribute concert: it is a community celebration that takes over Piazza Mario Frasca for several evenings, transforming it into a large, free-entry open-air stage.

Music, theater, and community

The program of Il Geometra Sognante is intentionally multidisciplinary. Alongside live concerts by local bands and singer-songwriters, there is space for theatrical performances, civil monologues, dance shows, book presentations, social issue conferences, creative workshops, and screenings for children. There is also a street food area, which accompanies the evenings and provides a convivial backdrop to the events on stage.

• Live concerts by local groups and artists, with tributes to rock and singer-songwriter music
• Theater and monologues focused on civil commitment
• Workshops and entertainment for children and families
• Book presentations and meet-the-author sessions
• Street food and moments of conviviality in the square

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the social promotion association ARCI MAO FM 19.77 ETS together with the Municipality of Orta Nova, with the involvement of local associations and artistic groups. It is a cultural volunteering project that has grown over the years to become a staple of the local summer calendar, providing visibility to young musicians from the Capitanata region.

A late-summer appointment

Historically, Il Geometra Sognante takes place in the final days of August, when the community of Orta Nova gathers in the square after the summer season. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: the schedule is usually released in the weeks leading up to the event through the association's and the municipality's channels. Those wishing to attend can follow local updates to find the complete calendar of the evenings.