OrientOccidente Festival (22nd Edition)

A festival that bridges world musical cultures

OrientOccidente is one of the most enduring and iconic festivals in the Valdarno region: a traveling journey that, for over two decades, has crossed the towns of the Arno valley between Florence and Arezzo to explore "musical cultures in dialogue: memory, living traditions, and creative innovation." Born from the vision of Materiali Sonori, the historic independent record label founded in San Giovanni Valdarno, the festival reaches its 22nd edition in 2026, confirming its status as a benchmark for world music, singer-songwriter traditions, folk, and cross-genre experimentation.

The 2026 stops in Terranuova Bracciolini

In the municipality of Terranuova Bracciolini, in the province of Arezzo, the 2026 program features three events spread across the territory, all with free admission, designed to highlight the town's unique hamlets and landmarks.

• Thursday, July 10, 9:30 PM — Beta Bar: "BetaBar Summer – Levia Gravia Concert," an evening with Esera, featuring sophisticated sounds and summer vibes.
• Thursday, July 16, 9:30 PM — Persignano, Piazza San Lorenzo: "Sulle Balze con lo Scaleo," a choral evening with Stefano Donato & L'Orchestra dello Scaleo, Arlo Bigazzi, Giacomo Rossetti, and Andrea Casini & His Band.
• Saturday, July 18, 6:00 AM — Traiana, Vigna Traiana / Cappella Polverini: "Sunrise in the Vineyard," a dawn concert-event with Letizia Fuochi, organized by Dritto e Rovescio, set among the vines at the first light of day.

Music, landscape, and the memory of Valdarno

The strength of OrientOccidente lies in its ability to weave music into the landscape: these are not just concerts, but opportunities to rediscover the squares, hamlets, and corners of the Valdarno area. The festival involves several municipalities in the valley—including San Giovanni Valdarno, Loro Ciuffenna, Cavriglia, and Terranuova Bracciolini—with the support of the Tuscany Region and local authorities. The program alternates between singer-songwriter music, folk, blues, jazz, and world music, with side events dedicated to cinema, theater, visual arts, and literature.

A sunrise appointment not to be missed

Among the most evocative offerings in the Terranuova leg is the 6:00 AM concert in the Vigna Traiana: a musical awakening among the vines that perfectly captures the festival's spirit, bringing music out of conventional venues and restoring a poetic, communal dimension to the Tuscan landscape. A rare, free experience open to all, ideal for those seeking a unique way to experience summer in Tuscany.