POLIS Teatro Festival
Ravenna's international contemporary theatre festival
About POLIS Teatro Festival
POLIS Teatro Festival: European contemporary theatre in Ravenna
The POLIS Teatro Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the contemporary theatre scene in Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 2018 and conceived by the company ErosAntEros, directed by Davide Sacco and Agata Tomšič, the festival transforms the center of Ravenna into a crossroads of scenic languages from all over Europe every spring. The event takes place in the most significant cultural venues of the city of Ravenna, in the province of Ravenna: the Teatro Rasi and its Ridotto, the Artificerie Almagià , the MAR – Museum of Art of the city of Ravenna, the Teatro Socjale of Piangipane, and outdoor spaces such as the gallery in Via Zirardini.
A European focus that changes every year
The distinctive feature of POLIS is the choice, at each edition, of a geographical focus dedicated to a theatrical area of the continent. Over the years, the festival has explored various national scenes, building a bridge between the audience of Romagna and the most innovative dramaturgy in Europe. Alongside the performances, the program includes national previews, meetings with artists, round tables, soundwalks, and special projects, creating a true agora – the polis that gives the festival its name – where theatre becomes a tool for civil reflection and dialogue.
Shows, meetings, and new generations
The festival pays great attention to emerging languages and new generations, with sections dedicated to artists under 30 and selection projects like Visionari, which directly involves spectators in choosing the shows. The round tables, often streamed and free of charge, address current issues related to European theatre and the role of culture in public space.
A festival rooted in the territory
Despite its markedly international vocation, the POLIS Teatro Festival is deeply connected to the city of Ravenna and the Emilia-Romagna region. Supported by public and private entities, also thanks to Art Bonus, the festival contributes to the cultural vitality of a territory that is already one of the historical capitals of theatre and live performance in Italy.
POLIS Teatro Festival — edition 2026
POLIS Teatro Festival 2026: Nordic Focus
The ninth edition of the festival looked to Northern Europe, with artists from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Six national premieres and one preview made up a program of over thirty events, spread across Teatro Rasi, Artificerie AlmagiĂ , MAR, Teatro Socjale, and the outdoor gallery in Via Zirardini.
The festival was directed, as always, by the company ErosAntEros (Davide Sacco and Agata Tomšič), confirming its international vocation and its connection to the city of Ravenna.
Programme POLIS Teatro Festival 2026
2026 Program
- April 30 – opening of the exhibition Shieldmaiden by Gianluca Costantini, outdoor gallery in Via Zirardini (free entry until May 19)
- May 5 – Ismene per sempre (Katia Colica/Adexo) and Capelli (Sante di Lana), Visionari 2026 section, Teatro Rasi
- May 6 – tremolo by Laura Kutkaitė/MMLAB theatre (Lithuania), Teatro Rasi, 9 PM
- May 7 – Tracking Satyrs into Morse by Demetrio Castellucci, Artificerie AlmagiĂ
- May 8 – Materiale per Medea by Agata Tomšič/ErosAntEros and Stina Force by Stina Fors, Teatro Rasi
- May 9 – Je suisse (or not) by Camilla Parini at MAR, Tivoli by Siim Tõniste, Radvila Darius, figlio di Vytautas by Karolis Kaupinis/Operomanija at Artificerie Almagià , with round tables on contemporary Northern European theatre
- May 10 – Asja Lacis by Carullo-Minasi at Teatro Socjale, Due parole su Ulla (Eugenio Sideri/MaMiMò) and Qualcosa di reale (Studio Doiz), grand finale at Teatro Rasi
Highlights POLIS Teatro Festival 2026
- Focus on Nordic theatre: Baltic and Scandinavian countries
- Six national premieres and over thirty events
- Materiale per Medea by the resident company ErosAntEros
- Performances at MAR, Teatro Rasi, and Artificerie AlmagiĂ
- Free round tables streamed live on European theatre
Prices POLIS Teatro Festival 2026
Practical information — POLIS Teatro Festival
Where it takes place
The performances are held in various locations in the center of Ravenna: Teatro Rasi (Via di Roma 39), Teatro Rasi Ridotto, Artificerie Almagià , MAR – Museum of Art of the city, as well as the Teatro Socjale of Piangipane and the outdoor gallery in Via Zirardini.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online and at Vivaticket points of sale, as well as at the Teatro Rasi ticket office and directly at the venue one hour before each performance. Meetings and exhibitions are generally free. Advance booking is recommended for limited seating.
How to get here
Ravenna is reachable by train via the central station, a few minutes' walk from Teatro Rasi, and by car from the A14 (Ravenna exit). The historic center is easily walkable.
Contacts
Email: [email protected] – Tel: +39 393 203 8883 – Website: polisteatrofestival.org
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — POLIS Teatro Festival
Teatro Rasi
Via di Roma 39, 48121 Ravenna