Musiche e Parole Festival
Music, theatre, and archaeology among the treasures of Partanna
About Musiche e Parole
A festival of music, words, and archaeology
The Musiche e Parole Festival is one of the most evocative cultural events of the Sicilian summer. It takes place in the Contrada Stretto Archaeological Area, in Partanna, in the Province of Trapani, a site that holds traces of ancient settlements and which the archaeologist Sebastiano Tusa studied and promoted for decades. The event was born from his vision: to bring the general public closer to Sicily's cultural heritage through a multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeology, music, theatre, and community.
The setting: the Contrada Stretto Archaeological Area
Evening events are held under the stars, immersed in the archaeological landscape of the Belice Valley. This deep bond between the location and the performances makes every evening a unique experience: music and words engage in a dialogue with the history of a territory inhabited since prehistoric times. The closing concert takes place in the evocative Mother Church of Partanna, in the historic centre.
High-level programming
Under the artistic direction of maestro Daniele Ficola, the festival offers a programme that spans different genres and languages:
- jazz and singer-songwriter concerts with nationally renowned artists;
- classical and baroque music performed by orchestras and ensembles from Sicilian Conservatories;
- theatrical performances and productions created specifically for the archaeological site;
- guided tours, conferences, and meetings with artists, scholars, and critics, with free admission.
The legacy of Sebastiano Tusa
The festival is promoted by the Sebastiano Tusa Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Partanna, with the support of institutions such as the Free Municipal Consortium of Trapani, the Palermo Conservatory, and the Academy of Fine Arts of Palermo. More than just a summer festival, Musiche e Parole is a cultural project that restores centrality to an extraordinary place in Western Sicily, transforming archaeology into a living stage for contemporary music and theatre.
Why attend
For those visiting the Province of Trapani in summer, the Musiche e Parole Festival offers refined and accessible evenings, far from mass tourism. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Partanna, its territory, and a unique archaeological site, accompanied by great music.
Musiche e Parole — edition 2026
2026 Edition: the third
The third edition of the Musiche e Parole Festival is held in Partanna (Province of Trapani) from July 23 to September 6, 2026, with eight evening events in the Contrada Stretto Archaeological Area. Concerts begin at 9:00 PM, while the grand finale takes place at the Mother Church of Partanna. The festival is promoted by the Sebastiano Tusa Foundation and produced by the Municipality of Partanna, under the artistic direction of Daniele Ficola.
The programme
- July 23 – Olivia Sellerio, with a concert inspired by the texts of Andrea Camilleri;
- July 24 – Sicilian Symphony Orchestra (music by Gershwin, Bernstein, Lloyd Webber);
- July 26 – Danilo Rea in piano concert, with a dialogue on art;
- August 3 – Saxophone and piano quartet from the Palermo Conservatory;
- August 8 – Daniela Spalletta and Glauco Venier, a reinterpretation of the Beatles;
- August 21 – SeiOttavi, a cappella vocal ensemble;
- August 24 – theatrical performance "Le Mille Bolle Blu";
- September 6 – National Baroque Orchestra of the Conservatories with countertenor Filippo Mineccia, at the Mother Church.
The programme is completed by guided tours of the archaeological site and conferences with scholars such as Bruno Corà and Massimo Cultraro, with free admission.
Programme Musiche e Parole 2026
Highlights Musiche e Parole 2026
Prices Musiche e Parole 2026
Practical information — Musiche e Parole
How to get there
Partanna is located in the Belice Valley, in the Province of Trapani. By car, it can be reached via the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway (Castelvetrano/Salemi exit), then following signs for Partanna and the Contrada Stretto Archaeological Area. The nearest airport is Trapani-Birgi; alternatively, Palermo Punta Raisi is about an hour and a half away.
Tickets
Evening concerts have a ticket price of €15 (plus pre-sale fees); a season pass for the entire festival costs €90. Guided tours, meetings with artists, and conferences are free of charge. Tickets are on sale via TicketOne and at authorized retailers.
Tips
Performances start at 9:00 PM outdoors: it is recommended to bring a light jacket for the evening. It is best to arrive a little early to visit the archaeological site.
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Where does it take place — Musiche e Parole
Area archeologica di Contrada Stretto
Contrada Stretto, 91028 Partanna