Scenica Festival
International festival of theatre, contemporary circus, dance, and performing arts in Vittoria
About Scenica Festival
Scenica Festival: Vittoria becomes an open-air stage
Every year in May, the city of Vittoria — in the Free Municipal Consortium (Province) of Ragusa, Sicily — hosts Scenica Festival, one of the most renowned performing arts festivals in Southern Italy. For about ten days, the city's historic centre turns into a vast, spread-out stage: the Teatro Comunale Vittoria Colonna, the Chiostro delle Grazie, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Enriquez, Piazza Ferdinando Ricca, Palazzo Giudice Lanzon, the Villa Comunale, the Sala delle Capriate, and the Wunder Casa Teatro become performance spaces open to the city.
An international and multidisciplinary festival
Founded in 2008, the event is promoted by the Santa Briganti Cultural Association under the artistic direction of Andrea Burrafato, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Sicilian Region, the Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa, and the Municipality of Vittoria. The programme weaves together contemporary theatre, circus, puppetry, dance, live music, and performance installations, providing a platform for both Italian and international companies, emerging talents, and established masters.
Performances across the city
The festival's format is that of a "spread-out" event: the audience moves through the city centre following a packed schedule of performances. Alongside theatre shows, there are roving performances, family and children's shows, concerts, and contemporary circus acts held outdoors. Many events are free to enter, while evening theatre performances generally require a ticket.
Roots in the Iblean territory
Beyond its international dimension, Scenica focuses on the local area through thematic sections dedicated to the creativity of the Iblean province and social reflection — such as the Raccordi section, which addresses themes of immigration, integration, and community coexistence. The festival has thus become a defining event for Vittoria and the entire Ragusa area, attracting thousands of spectators each year and bringing contemporary performing arts to one of the Baroque cities of the Val di Noto.
Scenica Festival — edition 2026
Scenica Festival 2026 — 18th edition
From May 22 to 31, 2026, Vittoria hosted the eighteenth edition of Scenica Festival, directed by Andrea Burrafato and organised by the Santa Briganti Cultural Association. The programme brought together 31 companies and over 60 performances, including six national premieres and eighteen regional exclusives, bringing theatres, squares, and palaces of the historic centre to life.
The official opening on May 22 at the Teatro Vittoria Colonna was entrusted to Prometeo by the PoEM company, directed by Gabriele Vacis. Highlights included: La Vertigine del Desiderio by El Grito-Giacomo Costantini (contemporary circus), Hang Up by the Swiss company Les Diptik, La Sparanoia by Fettarappa/Guerrieri, Eden by Théâtre Jaleo, the performance installation Heinz Baut by Traberproduktion, and La Zona Blu by Kepler-452. There was also space for outdoor circus with Porte-à -Faux in the Dôme at Piazza del Popolo, as well as family-friendly shows. The Raccordi section offered meetings and dialogue on themes of immigration and coexistence.
Programme Scenica Festival 2026
2026 Programme (selection)
- May 17 — Preview 4e33 Creative Ensemble (Wunder Casa Teatro)
- May 22 — Prometeo (PoEM/Gabriele Vacis), Teatro Vittoria Colonna; Porte-à -Faux (Théâtre Circulaire), Dôme Piazza del Popolo
- May 23 — Sutta Scupa (Babel), Felicia (Quintoequilibrio), Very Little Circus (Wakouwa Teatro)
- May 24 — Hang Up (Les Diptik), La Sparanoia (Fettarappa/Guerrieri)
- May 28-30 — Eden (Théâtre Jaleo), La Vertigine del Desiderio (El Grito), Heinz Baut (Traberproduktion)
- May 31 — Let's Twist Again! (Black Blues Brothers), La Zona Blu (Kepler-452), Villa Comunale
Highlights Scenica Festival 2026
- 31 companies, over 60 performances, around 100 artists
- 6 national premieres and 18 regional exclusives
- Opening with Prometeo by Gabriele Vacis at the Teatro Vittoria Colonna
- Spread-out performances across theatres, squares, and palaces of Vittoria's historic centre
Prices Scenica Festival 2026
Practical information — Scenica Festival
How to get there
Vittoria is located in south-eastern Sicily, in the province of Ragusa. By car, it is accessible via the SS115; the nearest airports are Comiso (a few kilometres away) and Catania-Fontanarossa. The Vittoria train station is served by the Siracusa-Gela regional line.
Tickets
Many outdoor and roving performances are free to enter; evening theatre shows generally require a ticket. We recommend checking the programme and ticket office on the official website www.scenicafestival.it.
Tips
Events take place in the historic centre: it is best to walk between the squares and palaces. Please check times and repeat performances, as some shows have limited seating.
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Where does it take place — Scenica Festival
Teatro Comunale Vittoria Colonna e centro storico