Teatri a Mare Festival

A theatre festival by the sea

The Teatri a Mare Festival is a summer event dedicated to theatre for children and families, held in Pozzallo, a lively seaside town in the province of Ragusa, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily. The festival stages a selection of performances outdoors, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop, designed for younger audiences but capable of captivating adults as well.

The venue: Arena Raganzino

Performances take place at the Arena Raganzino, located on the Pozzallo seafront. This open-air space, overlooking the sea, gives the theatrical evenings a unique atmosphere, typical of Sicilian summer nights, when the cool sea breeze accompanies the show. The festival traditionally takes place between the end of August and the beginning of September, marking the tail end of the long Pozzallo summer.

A programme between tradition and modernity

The artistic direction, entrusted to the Nave Argo cultural association, builds a programme each year that fosters a dialogue between different genres of Sicilian theatre:

• Opera dei Pupi, the traditional Sicilian puppet theatre recognised by UNESCO, featuring the deeds of the paladins of France;
• circus theatre and circus arts, including acrobatics, clowning, and poetic moments;
• storytelling and traditional theatre, with tales and fables suitable for little ones.

The companies involved come from the main Sicilian theatre scenes, from Catania to Palermo, and the festival is part of the regional contemporary drama circuit supported by the Sicilian Region.

For families in Pozzallo

Teatri a Mare is designed as a cultural leisure opportunity for both holidaymakers and residents: the evening shows, generally at 8:30 PM, offer a high-quality alternative to summer nights and introduce children to the language of theatre. The festival is part of the rich summer calendar of the Municipality of Pozzallo, which includes concerts, food festivals, markets, and events along the seafront.