Infiorata dei Ragazzi
The children and teenagers of Genzano di Roma depict the world through flower petals
About Infiorata dei Ragazzi
A tradition passed from hand to hand
In Genzano di Roma, in the heart of the Castelli Romani, the art of flower carpeting is not just a spectacle: it is a craft that is passed down. The Infiorata dei Ragazzi was born from this very need to pass on the ancient techniques of floral carpeting to new generations. The initiative dates back to 1982, when master flower artist, painter, and poet Renato Torti began visiting local schools to teach children how to work with petals. From that idea, an independent event was born in the early 2000s, which now effectively kicks off the Genzano flower festival season.
When and where
The event is traditionally held on the last weekend of May, a few weeks before the Traditional Infiorata of Genzano, which takes place in June along Via Italo Belardi. The children's stage is Via Bruno Buozzi (formerly Via Sforza), the uphill street leading down from the historic center: here, the floral tableaux created by students stretch for dozens of meters, while the courtyard of the Town Hall hosts the preparation phases.
How a petal tableau is born
The process is the same as for adults, adapted for smaller hands. It begins with petal stripping: flowers are plucked one by one and petals are sorted by color into large baskets. Then, the essences are prepared—complementary natural materials like seeds, leaves, coffee grounds, and colored earth—used for shading and outlines. The preparatory drawing is traced on the asphalt with chalk, and then the laying begins: petal by petal, the sketch takes shape and color until Sunday afternoon.
The spallamento
The finale is the most beloved and yet the most melancholic part. At the close of the event, the children run across the floral carpet, dismantling it with their feet: this is the spallamento, the ritual gesture that marks the end of the festival and reminds everyone of the ephemeral nature of this art. Before the spallamento, certificates of participation are awarded to all involved classes.
More than just flowers
Around the petal-laying, the Municipality organizes a program designed for families: creative workshops, construction games, circus tracks in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi, music and dance performances by local schools, and, in closing, a theatrical performance at the Infiorata Auditorium. Each edition revolves around a theme chosen by the administration together with the schools, which guides the subjects of the tableaux.
Why it's worth the trip
- It is the perfect opportunity to see how an Infiorata is built, phase by phase, which is more difficult to observe during the main event.
- The atmosphere is that of a village festival, without the crowds of the June days.
- Admission is free and all activities take place outdoors in the historic center.
- Genzano di Roma is located just over thirty kilometers from Rome, on the edge of Lake Nemi: it can easily be combined with a day in the Castelli Romani.
The context: Genzano and the Infiorata
The Infiorata of Genzano di Roma, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in Lazio, has been documented since 1778 and is linked to the Corpus Domini feast. In 2011, it was recognized as a Heritage of Italy for tradition. The main event uses about 400,000 flowers, mostly carnations, covering an area of over 2,000 square meters. The Infiorata dei Ragazzi is the link that guarantees a future for this tradition: without children learning to strip petals today, there would be no master flower artists in twenty years.
Infiorata dei Ragazzi — edition 2026
The theme: The Canticle of the Creatures
The twenty-second edition of the Infiorata dei Ragazzi revolved around the title 'Hymn to Creation: The Canticle of the Creatures', chosen to celebrate the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The floral tableaux created by students interpreted the elements of the Canticle — the sun, the moon, water, wind, earth — translating them into petal compositions along Via Bruno Buozzi.
The three days
It began on Friday, May 29, in the municipal courtyard with petal stripping entrusted to nursery schools. Saturday, May 30, the work intensified: from 8:30 AM, preparation of flowers, essences, and seeds in the Town Hall courtyard, then the tracing of designs on the ground on Via Bruno Buozzi and, in the afternoon, the completion of the works. Sunday, May 31, the festival moved to Piazza Tommaso Frasconi and the Infiorata Auditorium.
An edition for families
Alongside the petal laying, the Sunday program offered circus tracks and creative construction games for young and old, music and dance performances by the 'F. De Sanctis' and 'G. Garibaldi' schools, and, in the evening, a theatrical dramatization dedicated to the figure of Saint Francis. The awarding of certificates and the spallamento closed the event.
Programme Infiorata dei Ragazzi 2026
Friday, May 29, 2026
- 4:30 PM — Municipal courtyard: petal stripping with nursery schools
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- 8:30 AM — Town Hall courtyard: petal stripping, preparation of essences and seeds
- From morning — Via Bruno Buozzi (formerly Via Sforza): ground tracing and start of petal laying
- 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM — Completion of floral works
Sunday, May 31, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Piazza Tommaso Frasconi: circus tracks and Kapla Game, colorful paths and creative constructions for all ages
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM — Music and dance performance by the 'F. De Sanctis' and 'G. Garibaldi' schools
- 6:00 PM — Awarding of participation certificates, followed by the children's spallamento ceremony
- 8:00 PM — Infiorata Auditorium: theatrical performance dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi
Highlights Infiorata dei Ragazzi 2026
- 22nd edition, theme 'Hymn to Creation: The Canticle of the Creatures' for the eighth centenary of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Petal stripping in the Town Hall courtyard, open to the public
- Student floral tableaux along Via Bruno Buozzi
- Circus tracks and Kapla Game in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi
- Music and dance by the 'F. De Sanctis' and 'G. Garibaldi' schools
- The spallamento ceremony, the final run of children on the petal carpet
Prices Infiorata dei Ragazzi 2026
Practical information — Infiorata dei Ragazzi
How to get there
By car: from Rome, take the Via Appia Nuova (SS7) or the Grande Raccordo Anulare, exit Appia, then follow signs for Albano Laziale and Genzano; about 35 km. During the event, the historic center is closed to traffic: it is best to leave the car in peripheral parking lots and walk up.
By bus: Cotral lines from Rome Anagnina (Metro A) towards Genzano/Velletri, with frequent departures.
By train: FL4 line Rome Termini — Velletri, stop Genzano di Roma; the station is downhill from the center, the connection is completed on foot or by bus.
Admission and hours
Free and open admission to all activities. The work takes place in the Town Hall courtyard and along Via Bruno Buozzi; the final day is concentrated between Piazza Tommaso Frasconi and the Infiorata Auditorium.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the historic center is on a slope and the streets are uphill.
- To see the petal laying, arrive in the morning; for the finished tableaux, visit in the late afternoon of the second day.
- Do not walk on the floral carpet before the spallamento.
- Those wishing to see the Traditional Infiorata must return in June: it is a separate event.
Information
Municipality of Genzano di Roma, tel. +39 06 937111 — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Infiorata dei Ragazzi
Via Bruno Buozzi (già via Sforza)
Via Bruno Buozzi, 00045 Genzano di Roma