Strade — Contemporary Theatre Festival
Five Sunday afternoons of contemporary theatre at Spazio Nobelperlapace
About Strade
A contemporary theatre festival in Abruzzo
Strade — Contemporary Theatre Festival is a well-established winter tradition for lovers of auteur theatre in Abruzzo. It takes place at the Spazio Nobelperlapace in San Demetrio ne' Vestini, a small town in the province of L'Aquila nestled in the Aterno Valley. The festival is curated by the cultural association Arti e Spettacolo, a historic L'Aquila-based organization active since 1994 in the production, training, and programming of live performances.
The Spazio Nobelperlapace
The theatre hosting Strade is no ordinary venue. The Spazio Nobelperlapace was inaugurated on July 9, 2009, as a multi-purpose facility designed to serve as a social and cultural hub for the communities affected by the L'Aquila earthquake of April 6, 2009. Since then, it has become a landmark for contemporary theatre in the region, bringing high-quality productions to an area typically excluded from major touring circuits.
The artistic project
Directed by Giancarlo Gentilucci, president of Arti e Spettacolo, the festival consists of five Sunday afternoons, always starting at 6:00 PM. The program ranges from drama to fables, from comedy to social commentary, alternating between auteur shows, independent productions, and young emerging companies. The underlying idea is to address universal themes with a light touch, offering the audience diverse perspectives and opportunities for connection.
- Five Sunday events throughout the winter
- Professional companies and emerging talent from across Italy
- Auteur shows, live music, and contemporary dramaturgy
- Social gathering with the artists after every performance
A community theatre
What sets Strade apart is its intimate and participatory nature: at the end of each show, the audience is invited to stay for a social moment in the foyer, an opportunity to meet the actors and discuss the performance. This choice makes the festival a true community space, where theatre becomes a tool for dialogue between artists and spectators.
How to participate
Tickets are available in advance at the Polarville bookstore in L'Aquila and directly at the theatre in San Demetrio ne' Vestini. A season pass is also available to attend multiple shows. It is a perfect opportunity to discover contemporary theatre in one of the most symbolic spaces in the L'Aquila area of Abruzzo.
Strade — edition 2026
The 18th edition of Strade was held at the Spazio Nobelperlapace in San Demetrio ne' Vestini over five Sundays, always at 6:00 PM. The program alternated between auteur shows, independent productions, and young companies, focusing on civil, social, and human themes addressed with irony and lightness.
The festival opened on January 11 with Ero, a show by César Brie produced with Arti e Spettacolo, a poetic journey through the great words of existence. It continued on February 1 with A casa la sapevo (Chronos 3 / Industria Scenica), on February 22 with Dungeons, performed by young actors from the Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi in Milan, and on March 1 with Shuma by and with Peppe Macauda (Santa Briganti company), dedicated to the journey of migrants in the Mediterranean. The grand finale, on March 22, featured Viva Garibaldi – Storia semiseria di un Paese e dei suoi eroi! by CREST, with actor-musicians and swing sounds.
Programme Strade 2026
- January 11 — Ero, by César Brie and Arti e Spettacolo
- February 1 — A casa la sapevo, Chronos 3 / Industria Scenica
- February 22 — Dungeons, Smart company (alumni of the Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi, Milan)
- March 1 — Shuma, by and with Peppe Macauda, Santa Briganti company (under the patronage of UNHCR)
- March 22 — Viva Garibaldi – Storia semiseria di un Paese e dei suoi eroi!, CREST with Giuseppe Ciciriello
All shows start at 6:00 PM at Spazio Nobelperlapace. After each performance, there is a social gathering with the artists.
Highlights Strade 2026
- Ero by César Brie, a master of auteur theatre, at the opening
- Shuma on the drama of migrants in the Mediterranean, under the patronage of UNHCR
- The swing and ironic finale of Viva Garibaldi by CREST
Prices Strade 2026
Practical information — Strade
Location
Spazio Nobelperlapace, Via Iacopo da Sinizzo, San Demetrio ne' Vestini (AQ). The town is located in the Aterno Valley, approximately 20 km from L'Aquila.
Getting there
By car: from L'Aquila, reach San Demetrio ne' Vestini via the SS17 and the Aterno Valley provincial road in about 25 minutes. By train: the nearest railway station is L'Aquila, on the Terni–Sulmona line.
Tickets
Advance sales at the Polarville bookstore (via Castello, L'Aquila) and directly at the theatre. A season pass for multiple shows is available. Info and reservations: +39 348 6003614.
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Where does it take place — Strade
Spazio Nobelperlapace
Via Iacopo da Sinizzo, 67028 San Demetrio ne' Vestini