Sospeso - Contemporary Circus Festival

A contemporary circus festival inside a castle

Sospeso is the festival of contemporary circus, puppet theatre, and music that brings the performing arts within the walls of Castel Pergine, the medieval fortress overlooking Pergine Valsugana and the entire Valsugana valley in Trentino-Alto Adige. The inaugural edition takes place from May 29th to 31st, 2026, transforming the historic stronghold into a living stage where courtyards, halls, and lawns become performance spaces for acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and musicians.

The theme: the moment before the leap

The festival's name captures its poetic essence: sospeso (suspended) refers to that state of precarious balance and openness to the unknown—the sparkling quality of the instant before a leap, where every outcome remains possible. It is the vision of a historic site acting as a threshold between the everyday and the extraordinary, where spectators can still be surprised by unexpected stumbles and small wonders.

The three-day program

The festival offers a rich schedule designed to captivate both adults and children. Highlights of the first edition include:

• Friday, May 29th — The opening night featuring Gustavo la vita, a clowning and balancing act by Andrea Farnetani, followed by a concert from The Dirty Krcma, a Trentino-based ensemble blending Balkan, Latin, and folk sounds.
• Saturday, May 30th — The most intense day, starting in the morning with Banda Storta Circus by Compagnia Samovar, followed by afternoon installations and attractions (a pedal-powered ecological carousel, tent shows, and miniature theatre), Menù del Giorno by Compagnia Bella Vita, and the evening performance of L'anello magico by Aria Teatro.
• Sunday, May 31st — Encore performances of El Aletreo by Humberto Kalambres, afternoon installations, and the closing evening show of L'anello magico.

A castle to be experienced

The festival format blends performance with hospitality: the public can stay in the hotel rooms within the castle walls, extending the experience beyond the shows. The installations and small performances scattered throughout the castle grounds turn every corner into a potential surprise, creating a collective and immersive atmosphere.

Organizers

Sospeso is born from the collaboration between Compagnia Samovar, which handles the concept and artistic direction, Aria Teatro, Hotel Castelpergine, and the Fondazione Castel Pergine ETS, with the ambition of transforming the historic property into a permanent stage for circus arts and puppet theatre. This project enriches the vibrant cultural landscape of the municipality of Pergine Valsugana, in the province of Trento.