Piazza di Circo in San Michele Mondovì

Piazza di Circo: contemporary circus arrives in San Michele Mondovì

Piazza di Circo is the contemporary circus and performing arts festival of the Monregalese region, conceived and curated by the association Asd L'Albero del Macramè Arte & Cultura under the artistic direction of Marco Donda and co-direction of Carla Balatti. Recognized by the Ministry of Culture, it is one of the most vibrant new circus festivals in Northwest Italy. After years spent primarily in the streets and squares of Mondovì, the 2026 "Artistic Resonances" edition marks a shift to a truly "widespread" format, embracing eight municipalities in the Province of Cuneo, in Piedmont: among these is the Municipality of San Michele Mondovì, overlooking the Monregalese valleys.

A widespread summer across eight municipalities

The 2026 edition is the largest to date: 34 shows by 24 national and international companies, scheduled from June 21st to mid-August. Beyond Mondovì, the program reaches Pianfei (where the festival kicks off on June 21st), Paroldo, San Michele Mondovì, Frabosa Soprana, Frabosa Sottana, Villanova Mondovì, and Roccaforte Mondovì. The vision is to bring the language of the circus into everyday life: historic centers, village squares, hamlets, and natural settings, where acrobats, jugglers, tightrope walkers, and physical performers meet the public in an intimate and familiar setting.

The event in San Michele Mondovì

In San Michele Mondovì, the festival presents a circus-theater show blending tightrope walking and juggling, designed for families and children but capable of captivating adults as well. This reflects how Piazza di Circo views its relationship with the Monregalese villages: not merely as backdrops, but as protagonists of a season of wonder shared with residents and visitors. In previous editions, the town has welcomed the festival with great enthusiasm, transforming its square into a small open-air theater.

Between tradition and innovation

The festival combines a dedication to auteur circus art with a desire to engage local communities, offering shows for all ages, moments dedicated to families and children, and more sophisticated performances for contemporary circus enthusiasts. The choice of an itinerant calendar highlights the landscape and identity of the Monregalese region—a land of valleys, mountains, and traditions that finds in contemporary circus a new way to tell its story.

Why it's worth attending

• Festival recognized by the Ministry of Culture
• 34 shows and 24 national and international companies in the 2026 edition
• Eight Monregalese municipalities involved, including San Michele Mondovì
• Performances of acrobatics, juggling, circus-theater, and performing arts
• A program suitable for families, children, and new circus enthusiasts