Puppets Summer in Montecreto

Puppets return to the chestnut trees of Montecreto

Every summer, the Modena-based association I Burattini della Commedia brings its figure theatre to the municipalities of the province of Modena with the Burattini Estate festival: dozens of free shows, spread between June and September, that travel through lowland towns and mountain villages. Among the most evocative stops is Montecreto, a small municipality in the Modenese Apennines perched at about 900 metres altitude, in the heart of the Sassi di Roccamalatina Park and a stone's throw from Monte Cimone.

The Chestnut Park, a natural stage

In Montecreto, the shows are held at the Parco dei Castagni (Chestnut Park), one of the most beloved places in the Emilian Apennines: a centuries-old chestnut grove whose trees, according to tradition, were planted in the era of Matilde di Canossa. Among the monumental trunks, an ancient 'metato' (chestnut drying house) and a restored mill, the park becomes a natural open-air stage in summer, where young spectators sit on the grass and adults rediscover the magic of popular theatre that never seems to go out of fashion.

An Emilian popular tradition

Puppets are part of Emilia's cultural identity: in Modena, the most famous mask is Sandrone, a shrewd and good-natured peasant, accompanied by his wife Pulonia and son Sgorghiguelo, while in nearby Bologna, Fagiolino reigns. The festival carries on this heritage by involving various puppeteers and local companies, each with their own repertoire of fairy tales, comedies, and stories designed for children but capable of making adults smile too.

For families and children

The Montecreto events are designed primarily for children and families: afternoon shows, short in duration, with free admission, perfect for a summer day in the mountains. A simple and popular formula that combines the discovery of a Modenese Apennine village with the timeless charm of figure theatre.