Le Belle Sere

Le Belle Sere: Theatre beyond the city centre

Le Belle Sere is a summer performing arts festival that turns the Villa Lais park in the Tuscolano Sud district of Rome into a grand open-air stage every September. Curated by the theatre association The Way to the Indies - Argillateatri, the event was born with a clear vision: to take culture out of the historic centre and into the neighbourhoods, bridging social gaps through theatre, music, and active participation.

An amphitheatre in the heart of Tuscolano

The heart of the festival is the Villa Lais amphitheatre, overlooking Piazza Giovanni Cagliero, though shows and activities also extend to the park's greenhouse and gardens. This beloved local green space, located just steps from areas with a strong working-class identity like Mandrione and Quadraro, becomes a vibrant meeting point for families, young people, and curious visitors for a few evenings.

Shows, workshops, and community

The programme weaves together diverse artistic languages: theatrical and dance performances, concerts, poetry readings, book presentations, and guided walks exploring the history of the district. A significant portion of the festival is dedicated to workshops for all ages—from creative recycling to toy making—along with activities designed specifically for children. There are also discussions on civic and social issues, with a particular focus on women's roles, environmental care, and local heritage.

A festival for all ages

Free and accessible, Le Belle Sere is aimed at an intergenerational audience; evenings alternate between offerings for adults and storytelling or shows for children, allowing the entire neighbourhood to gather in the park. It is this participatory spirit, rather than the presence of big names, that makes the event a cherished end-of-summer ritual for the Tuscolano area.

Rome Capital and the VII Municipality

The festival is part of the cultural initiatives supported by Roma Capitale and the VII Municipality as part of the calls for proposals dedicated to neighbourhood-based performing arts in the Lazio region. Realised with public funding and the collaboration of local associations, Le Belle Sere has become a recognised fixture in the Rome summer calendar in the southern part of the city.