Straborgo

Straborgo, the popular heart of Livorno beats once again

Every spring, the Borgo Cappuccini district in Livorno transforms into a large, widespread stage. Straborgo is a free-entry festival that focuses on Piazza Mazzini — a large square surrounded by centuries-old plane trees — and the surrounding streets, blending concerts, comedy, visual arts, maritime traditions, and popular gastronomy. Promoted by the Fondazione LEM (Livorno Euro Mediterranea) in collaboration with Xlr Produzioni, the event has grown to become one of the most anticipated appointments of the Livorno season.

A festival born from the neighborhood

Straborgo was born from the idea of restoring centrality to Borgo Cappuccini, an ancient Livorno district overlooking the sea. The common thread of every edition is the concept of the threshold, understood as a line of contact and change between the neighborhood and the sea: from here, the artistic initiatives that animate alleys, docks, and squares come to life. The festival enhances the relationship between Livorno and its port, city traditions, and new generations of artists.

Music, comedy, and big names

The heart of Straborgo is the evening concerts in Piazza Mazzini, which every year alternate between established names of the Italian scene and young emerging talents. Alongside the music, there is an evening dedicated to comedy and reflection, with theatrical and satirical shows. All events on the main stage are free, in line with the popular and inclusive vocation of the event.

Not just a stage: a widespread creative laboratory

Straborgo is much more than a concert series. During the festival days, the neighborhood hosts numerous side initiatives:

• Photography exhibitions spread among the shop windows and venues of the Borgo, with images telling the story of the Livorno of the past;
• Vintage and brocantage markets with clothing, objects, and retro items;
• Open-air cinema for children and activities for families;
• Circus shows, a circus school, and soap bubbles;
• the historic Coppa Risi'atori, a traditional rowing competition that recalls the maritime soul of the city;
• the Strabordo collective, which opens artist studios and installations, transforming the neighborhood into an exhibition space.

An appointment for Livorno and Tuscany

Included in the calendar of events of the City of Livorno, capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany, Straborgo attracts thousands of people every year, including residents and visitors. It is an opportunity to discover Borgo Cappuccini, experience the city outside the most beaten tourist circuits, and breathe the authentic popular Livorno atmosphere, suspended between music, art, and the sea.