Teatri Riflessi Festival
International festival of contemporary performing arts on Mount Etna
About Teatri Riflessi
An international festival at the foot of Mount Etna
Teatri Riflessi is an international festival of contemporary performing arts that brings Zafferana Etnea, an elegant village in the province of Catania on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, to life every summer. Founded in 2016 and organized by the IterCulture APS association with an entirely under-35 team, the event weaves together theatre, dance, contemporary circus, and dance film, transforming the town's squares, streets, and open spaces into widespread stages. The festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Region, as well as the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea.
The International Short Performance Competition
The beating heart of the festival is the International Short Performance Competition, dedicated to short works with a maximum duration of fifteen minutes. Each year, a jury selects the competing companies from hundreds of applications from around the world: a precious showcase for emerging artists and contemporary scenic languages. The semi-finals and final take place at the Falcone e Borsellino Open-Air Theatre, under the sky of the Etna-Ionian area.
More than just a competition
Beyond the competition, Teatri Riflessi offers a dense program:
- Urban performances: site-specific shows designed for the village landscape, between Piazza Umberto I and the town centre streets;
- Dance film and installations, with dozens of works and evening screenings;
- Forums, talks, and meetings with artists and international critics in the Municipal Park;
- Workshops and labs for performers, the community, and young readers.
Rooted in the territory
The festival is deeply connected to its land: it involves local accommodation facilities, associations, and partners, generating significant economic impact for Zafferana Etnea and the entire Mount Etna area. The international dimension of the competition thus coexists with the promotion of the village, its hospitality, and the relationship between the contemporary scene and the local community.
Zafferana Etnea, the village of honey
Known as the "city of honey," Zafferana Etnea is one of the most beloved destinations on the eastern side of Mount Etna, in Sicily. The mild summer climate and the natural setting make the Etnean village the ideal backdrop for a festival that, for over ten years, has brought contemporary performing art to the streets of the town and the eyes of an ever-growing audience.
Teatri Riflessi — edition 2026
Teatri Riflessi 2026 — "Heritage"
The eleventh edition of Teatri Riflessi takes place in Zafferana Etnea (CT) from July 12 to 19, 2026, with the theme "Heritage": a common thread that questions what we receive, what we leave behind, and the responsibility between generations. The festival brings together over 150 international guests for a week of contemporary theatre, dance, circus, and performing arts.
The International Competition
From July 16 to 19, the International Short Performance Competition brings 11 companies selected from 539 applications worldwide to the stage at the Falcone e Borsellino Open-Air Theatre. The two semi-finals (July 16 and 17) feature artists from Italy, Poland, Germany, South Korea, France, Canada, Cyprus, and other countries.
Special events
- Final on July 18 with Aristide Rontini (Lampyris Noctiluca) and Silvia Gribaudi (Suspended Chorus), plus the talk "The Bodies of the Scene";
- Urban performances: Rombo by Riccardo Buscarini, Tilt by Ilenia Romano, and La Plaza_studio by Elisa Sbaragli, between Piazza Umberto I and the town centre streets;
- Daily forums at the Municipal Park, 30 video works and installations, evening dance film, and workshops for young readers.
Tickets
Most of the program is free. The double shows on July 18 feature "pay-what-you-want" tickets (16 or 12 euros at the spectator's discretion), with a special reduced price of 7 euros for members and those under 15.
Programme Teatri Riflessi 2026
International Short Performance Competition (July 16-19)
- July 16 — Semi-final 1: 6 companies, including Ki Collective (Poland), Mica Kupfer (Germany), Lucas Crew (South Korea)
- July 17 — Semi-final 2: 5 companies from France, Canada, Germany, Cyprus
- July 18 — Final: Aristide Rontini (Lampyris Noctiluca), Silvia Gribaudi (Suspended Chorus), talk "The Bodies of the Scene" moderated by Greta Pieropan
Urban performances
- July 16: Rombo by Riccardo Buscarini (Piazza Umberto I)
- July 17: Tilt by Ilenia Romano (Via Renato Imbriani)
- July 18: La Plaza_studio by Elisa Sbaragli (Piazza Umberto I)
Other activities
- Daily forums at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Park
- 30 video works and VR installations
- Evening dance film and workshops for young readers
Highlights Teatri Riflessi 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Heritage"
- Over 150 international guests
- 11 competing companies selected from 539 applications
- Final on July 18 with Aristide Rontini and Silvia Gribaudi
- 10 site-specific urban performances
- Supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Region
Prices Teatri Riflessi 2026
Practical information — Teatri Riflessi
How to get there
Zafferana Etnea can be reached by car from Catania in about 40 minutes (SS114 and SP4/SP59). The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa (about 35 km). Suburban buses connect Catania to the town.
Venue
The competition shows are held at the Falcone e Borsellino Open-Air Theatre; urban performances and forums take place in Piazza Umberto I, along the town centre streets, and at the Municipal Park.
Tickets
Most of the program is free to attend. Some evening shows feature a "pay-what-you-want" ticket policy, with discounts for members and those under 15.
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Where does it take place — Teatri Riflessi
Teatro all'aperto Falcone e Borsellino