Vertigo Summer Festival

Contemporary circus arrives in Cocconato

The Vertigo Summer Festival is a vibrant event dedicated to contemporary performing arts, held in Cocconato, a charming hilltop village in the Monferrato region of Piedmont. Conceived and produced by the national production center blucinQue Nice in collaboration with the Fondazione Cirko Vertigo, the festival transforms the entire historic center of the town into a sprawling, open-air stage for a few days each summer.

A village turned into a stage

The squares, courtyards, and streets of Cocconato host performances of contemporary circus, street theater, dance, live music, magic, and puppetry. Venues include Piazza Giordano, Cortile Ferrero, the courtyard of Casa Fasoglio, the courtyard of Locanda Martelletti, Piazzale Cav. Monchietto, and the courtyard of the Collegio: every corner of the village becomes an intimate outdoor theater.

Artists from around the world

Each edition brings together numerous companies and artists from various countries, with disciplines ranging from aerial acrobatics to tightrope walking, physical theater to juggling, and roaming shows designed to engage the entire audience. The artistic direction, following the research tradition of blucinQue and Cirko Vertigo, offers a high-quality program that blends the spectacle of the circus with the poetry of contemporary theater.

Free and accessible art

A hallmark of the Vertigo Summer Festival is that it is free of charge: all shows are open to the public, subject to reservation. This makes the event a precious opportunity to discover top-tier contemporary circus in an intimate and welcoming setting, far from the bustle of big cities. For the Municipality of Cocconato and the Province of Asti, the festival serves as a cultural and tourist catalyst for the Monferrato territory, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its vineyard landscapes.

A summer event not to be missed

Between performances, the public can soak up the atmosphere of the village, explore its hills, and enjoy local food and wine, creating an experience that weaves together live entertainment and regional discovery. The Vertigo Summer Festival is quickly becoming one of the most original events in the Piedmontese summer.