Premio Vigata — Andrea Camilleri Theatre Festival

Theatre in the heart of Camilleri's city

The Premio Vigata — Andrea Camilleri Theatre Festival is the summer event for popular theatre in Porto Empedocle, in the province of Agrigento, in the heart of south-western Sicily. Every year, the central Piazza Kennedy turns into an open-air stage where comedies, dramas, and performances from the best of the Sicilian theatrical tradition are brought to the stage by local companies.

A tribute to Andrea Camilleri

The festival bears the name of Vigàta, the imaginary town that Andrea Camilleri built in the likeness of Porto Empedocle, his birthplace (he was born there on September 6, 1925). Creator of Inspector Montalbano, Camilleri is one of the most beloved and translated Italian writers in the world, and the event celebrates his figure and his deep bond with his land. One of the evenings, traditionally in July, is dedicated to the memory of the Maestro, who passed away on July 17, 2019.

Popular theatre and local companies

The programme focuses on popular Sicilian theatre: brilliant comedies, traditional texts, and reinterpretations of the classic repertoire, often in the Sicilian language. The artistic direction is entrusted to director Giovanni Volpe, who also signs some of the scheduled performances. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Porto Empedocle together with the Terra di Vigata Association, with the patronage of public and private bodies.

An atmosphere of the square

The shows take place in the evening, generally starting at 9:30 PM, under the sky of the Empedoclean summer. The capacity of the square is limited for safety reasons, which makes every evening an intimate and participatory experience, in close contact with the actors. It is an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the most authentic Sicily, amidst theatre, community, and literary memory.

Porto Empedocle, the "real" Vigàta

Overlooking the Strait of Sicily, Porto Empedocle is the maritime gateway to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. In recent years, the city has increasingly enhanced its bond with Camilleri, even officially adding "Vigàta" to its name. The theatre festival is part of this journey of rediscovering the cultural identity of the territory, between literature, theatre, and popular traditions.