Small Towns Tell Stories - Theatre Season in Filacciano
Acclaimed theatre in the heart of Filacciano, featuring plays and storytelling with free admission
About Small Towns Tell Stories
Acclaimed theatre arrives in Filacciano
Small Towns Tell Stories is the summer theatre season that brings Filacciano to life. Located in the heart of the lower Sabina area within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, this small village overlooks the Tiber Valley. Every July, the historic Piazza Umberto I is transformed into an open-air stage, hosting prose and storytelling performances with completely free admission. It is a unique way for a village of only a few hundred inhabitants to offer high-quality theatre, bringing renowned authors and performers of the contemporary Italian scene to the square.
A widespread regional project
The festival in Filacciano is one of the stops of Small Towns Tell Stories, a major project conceived by the Lazio Region and produced by ATCL - Theatrical Association of Lazio Municipalities with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The initiative involves dozens of small towns with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants across the five provinces of Lazio, featuring a widespread calendar of theatre, music, dance, contemporary circus, and children's activities. The goal is clear: to bring live culture back to the smallest villages, enhancing their history, identity, and public spaces as community hubs.
Prose and storytelling under the stars
The programme in Filacciano focuses on acclaimed theatre and storytelling, with shows based on great texts of Italian literature and dramaturgy. The evenings begin at 9:00 PM in Piazza Umberto I and are designed for a wide audience, from local residents to spectators arriving from nearby towns in the Tiber Valley. The atmosphere is that of an intimate village square, where the proximity between actors and the audience restores theatre to its most direct dimension.
A village to discover
Attending a performance in Filacciano is also an opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of Lazio. The village preserves a compact historic layout, dominated by its castle and overlooking the panoramas of the Tiber Valley, just a short distance from towns like Nazzano, Ponzano Romano, and the Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve. The combination of village tranquility, free theatre, and summer evenings makes the festival a popular event for those seeking slow, authentic cultural tourism.
- Where: Piazza Umberto I, Filacciano (Province of Rome, Lazio)
- When: July evenings, 9:00 PM
- Admission: Free
- Organisers: Municipality of Filacciano, ATCL, Lazio Region, Ministry of Culture
Small Towns Tell Stories — edition 2026
The 2026 Programme
The Small Towns Tell Stories theatre season returns to Filacciano in July 2026 with two performances of acclaimed prose in Piazza Umberto I, both at 9:00 PM and with free admission. The programme combines two of the most beloved texts of contemporary Italian literature and theatre.
- Saturday, July 11, 2026 - "Novecento" by Alessandro Baricco, directed and performed by Manuele Morgese, accompanied by Walter Monteleoni on piano and Matteo Costanzi on trumpet. The famous monologue tells the story of Danny Boodmann T.D. Lemon Novecento, a piano prodigy born and raised on an ocean liner who will never step onto land.
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 - "Corpo Felice" by Dacia Maraini, with Federica Di Martino and directed by Cinzia Maccagnano. An intense monologue that gives voice to the relationship between a mother and her unborn child, in a poetic dialogue about the body, motherhood, and female identity.
The two evenings confirm the festival's vocation: to bring great theatre to the square of a small village in the province of Rome, in a free and accessible format for everyone.
Programme Small Towns Tell Stories 2026
Highlights Small Towns Tell Stories 2026
Prices Small Towns Tell Stories 2026
Practical information — Small Towns Tell Stories
How to get there
Filacciano is located in the Tiber Valley, in the northern part of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. By car, it can be reached via the A1 motorway (Ponzano Romano-Soratte or Fiano Romano exits) and the Via Tiberina. The journey from Rome takes about an hour. The nearest train station is Poggio Mirteto (Rome-Orte line), from which you can continue by car.
Times and tickets
Performances begin at 9:00 PM in Piazza Umberto I. Admission is free and no reservation is required, unless otherwise indicated by the organisers. We recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Tips
Performances are held outdoors: it is advisable to bring a light jacket for cooler evenings. For updated information, please contact the Municipality of Filacciano (tel. +39 0765 332113) or visit the ATCL website.
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Where does it take place — Small Towns Tell Stories
Piazza Umberto I
Piazza Umberto I, 00060 Filacciano