PataPùm – Minimo Teatro Festival

A festival for new generations

PataPùm – Minimo Teatro Festival is the historic event that the Piccolo Teatro Patafisico ETS dedicates to children's theatre and new generations in Palermo. Born from the legacy of the Minimo Teatro Festival, the event gathers works and artists from across the country every year for several days of theatre, dance, performances, and workshops. The festival takes place in the Municipality of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, within the evocative "Pietro Pisani" Complex, the former psychiatric hospital on Via Gaetano La Loggia, now reclaimed as a cultural space.

Theatre, workshops, and meetings

The heart of PataPùm is a dense program alternating repeat performances, creative and training workshops, talks, and opportunities for artists, professionals, and the public to connect. The offerings are designed for children, teenagers, families, and schools, with a special focus on early childhood. The festival treats young spectators as a true audience, possessing their own languages and rhythms, and offers them artistic experiences that broaden their horizons, foster social interaction, and teach the art of listening.

Children's theatre companies

Over the years, PataPùm has brought some of the most representative names in the national children's theatre scene to Palermo, such as La Baracca – Testoni Ragazzi from Bologna, Il Teatro nel Baule from Naples, and Zaches Teatro. Alongside the performances, there are masterclasses and training paths aimed at teachers, educators, and artists, featuring prominent guests from the world of children's theatre.

A theatre in the name of the Santuzza

The Piccolo Teatro Patafisico, founded and directed by Rossella Pizzuto and Laura Scavuzzo, is inspired by 'pataphysics, the "science of imaginary solutions" theorized by Alfred Jarry. The festival is often intertwined with the city's devotion to Saint Rosalia, the "Santuzza" and patron saint of Palermo, in a constant dialogue between popular tradition, creativity, and cultural commitment. PataPùm interprets public cultural promotion by breaking down economic barriers through free performances and building alliances with local schools, bookstores, and associations.

A city-wide celebration

More than just a festival, PataPùm is an educational and community project that integrates theatre into a broader network of initiatives for children, ranging from read-aloud sessions to family workshops. For a few days, the Pisani Complex transforms into a place of magic and creativity in the heart of Palermo, welcoming thousands of children, parents, teachers, and educators.