Puppets at the Conce
Art, creativity, and inclusion at the Portico delle Conce in Foligno
About Puppets at the Conce
Puppets as a voice for inclusion
Burattini alle Conce is a festival that brings figure theatre and puppets to the heart of Foligno, in the Province of Perugia, with a declared theme: inclusion. The initiative stems from the collaboration between the artisans of the Portico delle Conce «Gli Elfi» and various local entities, with the patronage of the Municipality of Foligno.
The exhibition and the shows
The heart of the festival is the exhibition of artist puppets «Volti di carta, voci di stoffa» (Faces of paper, voices of fabric), born from the collaboration between «Gli Elfi» and the Orfini Moda Institute: the papier-mâché heads are decorated by artisans Daniela and Giorgio, while the costumes are designed and made by the institute's students. Alongside it, there are painting exhibitions – such as «I colori dei silenzi» (The colours of silence) by the deaf artist Valentina Butera – and a series of puppet shows, some with translation into Italian Sign Language.
Le Conce, a district of art
The festival takes place in the Conce district, the ancient tanneries district of Foligno crossed by canals, and at the Portico delle Conce, now a space for craftsmanship and creativity. A setting that makes Burattini alle Conce not just an event for children and families, but a cultural project that combines art, artisan tradition, and attention to accessibility.
Puppets at the Conce — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Burattini alle Conce takes place in Foligno from May 14 to 24. The festival, dedicated to art, creativity, and inclusion, kicks off with the «Volti di carta, voci di stoffa» exhibition of artist puppets – the result of the collaboration between «Gli Elfi» of the Portico delle Conce and the Orfini Moda Institute – and the «I colori dei silenzi» painting exhibition by deaf artist Valentina Butera. The highlight is the official inauguration on May 22, followed by literary encounters and figure theatre shows in the following days, with particular attention to accessibility. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Foligno.
Programme Puppets at the Conce 2026
Exhibitions (May 14-20, 2026) — Le Conce
- «Volti di carta, voci di stoffa» — exhibition of artist puppets created by «Gli Elfi» with the Orfini Moda Institute (papier-mâché heads by Daniela and Giorgio, costumes by students). Closed Monday, May 18
- «I colori dei silenzi» (May 15-17) — painting exhibition by deaf artist Valentina Butera
Friday, May 22, 2026 — Portico delle Conce
- 11:00 AM — official inauguration
- 4:00 PM — meeting with the winners of the literary competition «Fulgineamente anno 2025»
- Following — conversation-show by Guido Farinelli «Il cibo di Mangiafuoco» (Mangiafuoco's food)
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 4:00 PM — «L'albero incantato» (The enchanted tree), puppet show by Emergency Foligno volunteers
Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM — «L'amore delle tre melarance» (The love of the three oranges), puppet and actor show by the Vola Trevi Association, with Italian Sign Language translation
Highlights Puppets at the Conce 2026
Prices Puppets at the Conce 2026
Practical information — Puppets at the Conce
How to get there
Foligno is reachable by train (a railway hub on the Rome-Ancona and Rome-Florence lines) and by car from the SS3 Flaminia. The Conce district and the Portico delle Conce are located in the historic centre.
When
The festival is held in May; the exhibition opens in the first few days and the shows are concentrated on weekends.
Admission
Free admission to the exhibition; shows are free unless otherwise indicated.
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Where does it take place — Puppets at the Conce
Le Conce / Portico delle Conce
Le Conce - Portico delle Conce, 06034 Foligno