Oriente Occidente Dance Festival
The premier international contemporary dance festival in Rovereto
About Oriente Occidente
One of the most important dance festivals in Italy and Europe
The Oriente Occidente Dance Festival stands as one of the most authoritative and long-standing contemporary dance events in Italy. Founded in Rovereto in 1981 as a space for dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures, the festival has evolved into an international showcase where world-renowned choreographers meet the scene's newest voices. Each edition turns this city in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige, into an open-air laboratory dedicated to the body, movement, and artistic research.
A city-wide festival
The unique character of Oriente Occidente lies in its widespread presence: performances are not confined to a single venue but inhabit the entire city. From the Teatro Zandonai, the festival's historic heart, to the MART - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, from the Urban Center to the historic center, and the new production spaces at Progetto Manifattura—where a new arena has been set up in a covered gallery overlooking the Leno stream—every location becomes a stage. The audience is invited to explore, discover hidden corners of Rovereto, and experience dance as a collective urban event.
Auteur dance, meetings, and training
Beyond the performances, the program includes artist talks, open rehearsals, workshops, and audience engagement activities. The festival highlights both established masters of European choreography and emerging talents, featuring numerous national premieres and debuts. The offerings range from visionary contemporary dance to the dialogue between hip-hop and auteur styles, spanning museum performances to large-scale shows.
A sustainable event
Oriente Occidente has been a certified Eco Eventi del Trentino since 2019 and runs on 100% renewable energy, utilizing systems designed to minimize environmental impact. This commitment makes the festival a model for culturally conscious and sustainable event management.
Why it's worth attending
- One of Europe's most prestigious contemporary dance festivals, with over forty years of history.
- Internationally acclaimed companies and choreographers alongside rising young talents.
- A city-wide festival that lets you discover Rovereto through its theaters, museums, and urban spaces.
- National premieres, debuts, and artist encounters in an intimate and passionate atmosphere.
Oriente Occidente — edition 2026
2026 Edition — "Void", the contemporary dance festival in Rovereto
From September 3rd to 12th, 2026 (with a preview on September 2nd), Rovereto hosts the 46th edition of the Oriente Occidente Dance Festival. This year's theme is "Void", the second chapter of the three-year "Absent Bodies" journey started in 2025: the void not as a lack, but as a condition of possibility, the interval that allows for encounter, the silence that enables music, the space that allows dance to exist.
The program, under the artistic direction of Lanfranco Cis and associate curation by Marcos Morau, features over 45 events and 15 companies, with seven debuts, five national premieres, workshops, and museum incursions, spread across the Teatro Zandonai, the MART, the Urban Center, and the new spaces at Progetto Manifattura.
Programme Oriente Occidente 2026
Artistic direction and theme
Artistic direction by Lanfranco Cis, associate curation by Marcos Morau. 2026 Theme: "Void", second chapter of the "Absent Bodies" journey.
Announced companies and artists
- Maguy Marin — the celebrated European choreographer returns to Rovereto for the third time with one of her most iconic works.
- La Veronal — the company directed by Marcos Morau, among the most visionary voices in international choreography.
- Accrorap by Kader Attou — pioneer of the dialogue between hip-hop and contemporary dance.
Edition stats
- Over 45 events including shows, performances, talks, and open rehearsals
- 15 companies from various countries
- 7 debuts and 5 national premieres
- Workshops and museum incursions at the MART
Venues
- Teatro Zandonai
- MART — Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Urban Center and historic center
- Progetto Manifattura — new arena in a covered gallery overlooking the Leno stream
The full program is announced by the festival management in the months preceding the event: for day-by-day performance details and schedules, consult the official website orienteoccidente.it.
Highlights Oriente Occidente 2026
Prices Oriente Occidente 2026
Practical information — Oriente Occidente
Getting there
Rovereto is well-connected: the train station is on the Brenner line (Verona-Bolzano-Munich) served by regional trains and Frecce high-speed trains. By car, take the Rovereto Sud or Rovereto Nord exit on the A22 Brenner motorway. The nearest airport is Verona Villafranca (approx. 70 km away).
Venues
Performances take place in various city locations: Teatro Zandonai, MART, Urban Center, the historic center, and the new spaces at Progetto Manifattura.
Box Office
The physical box office is located at Corso Rosmini 58, open daily from September 1st, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online up to five minutes before each performance (not on-site at the venues). Info: +39 0464 431660, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Oriente Occidente
Teatro Zandonai
Corso Rosmini 58, 38068 Rovereto