neiBORGHI Festival

A performing arts festival in the heart of Cittaducale

Every summer, the neiBORGHI Festival lights up the historic center of Cittaducale, a small medieval village in the Province of Rieti, in the heart of the Lazio Region. For several evenings in August, the squares, alleys, and most evocative corners of the town become natural settings for physical theatre, urban dance, contemporary circus, and live music. The event was born with the idea of bringing performing arts out of theatres and into the daily life of the community, restoring the village's value as a meeting place.

A cultural project by Ondadurto Teatro

The artistic direction is entrusted to Lorenzo Pasquali and the Ondadurto Teatro company, a group known internationally for its language that weaves together street theatre, circus arts, dance, and scenic installations. The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Cittaducale and made possible thanks to the support of the Lazio Region. The stated goal is to build relationships through the universal language of the arts, fostering dialogue between Italian and international companies, the public, and the landscape of the Rieti village.

Squares as a stage

The beating heart of the festival is Piazza del Popolo, but the shows spread to various symbolic locations in the historic center and the natural areas around Cittaducale. The formula combines major evening performances, itinerant moments, and daytime appointments designed for families and children. Among the most characteristic offerings are creative workshops and outdoor experiences, such as guided astronomical observations that, at the end of the program, invite the public to look up at the starry sky of the Rieti area.

A free festival for everyone

One of the hallmarks of the neiBORGHI Festival is that it is free of charge: most events have free admission, making art accessible to residents and visitors alike. Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread for the artistic offerings, exploring the relationship between body and space, individual and community, and humanity and the nature surrounding the village.

Cittaducale and the Rieti territory

Founded in the 14th century, Cittaducale retains a regular urban layout and a discreet charm that makes it an ideal setting for a widespread festival. Located just a few kilometers from Rieti and the Terme di Cotilia, the town allows visitors to combine attending shows with discovering an authentic corner of Lazio, rich in history, nature, and traditions. In just a few editions, the neiBORGHI Festival has become a benchmark for the province's cultural summer.