Visions of future, visions of theatre
The international festival of performing arts for early childhood, at Teatro Testoni Ragazzi in Bologna
About Visions
A festival dedicated to the gaze of the little ones
In the heart of Bologna, Teatro Testoni Ragazzi on Via Matteotti hosts every year, in March, Visions of future, visions of theatre, one of the most important international festivals of performing arts and culture dedicated to early childhood. Organized by the company La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi, the festival brings together companies from all over Europe and the world in the capital of Emilia-Romagna, with a program entirely designed for children aged 0 to 6 and the world that accompanies them: families, teachers, educators, and cultural operators.
Theatre, dance, and music for early childhood
For a week, the theatre becomes a laboratory of ideas and perspectives: the shows range from dance to music, from puppetry to shadow theatre, always with special attention to artistic quality and the relationship with the very young spectators. Alongside the shows, the festival offers workshops, conferences, meetings, and seminars open to both industry professionals and the curious public, to explore the relationship between performing arts and early childhood.
An international showcase in Bologna
For years, Visioni has been a benchmark for children's theatre at the European level: from the Netherlands to Spain, from France to Belgium to Chile, guest companies bring their latest works to Bologna, often in their national or world premiere. The festival is also an opportunity for professional exchange, with moments dedicated to emerging artists and training courses for educators in nurseries and kindergartens in the city and surrounding municipalities.
A cultural project for the city
Supported by the Municipality of Bologna, the festival is an expression of a vocation that the city of Emilia-Romagna has cultivated for decades: to consider children as full spectators, capable of being moved and interpreting the language of theatre. Visions of future, visions of theatre is now an eagerly awaited event not only by Bolognese families but also by early childhood theatre professionals from across the continent, who find here a unique place for exchange and growth.
- Where: Teatro Testoni Ragazzi, Via Matteotti 16, Bologna
- When: every year in March
- For whom: children aged 0 to 6, families, educators, and cultural operators
- Organization: La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi
Visions — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of the festival marked the launch of the European project The Right Time - Exploring Time in Performing Arts for Early Childhood, supported by Creative Europe and coordinated by La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi, which will accompany the next four editions. The Bologna week brought together sixteen international companies with twenty-four shows and thirty-eight performances, alongside moments for professional exchange and training courses for educators in nurseries and kindergartens.
Among the themes of the edition were a reflection on time in performing arts for early childhood and a constant focus on the quality of the gaze of the very young spectators. The festival confirmed Bologna's role as the European capital of theatre for early childhood.
Programme Visions 2026
Opening Show — March 8
- A corpo libero (Free Body) — La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi (on stage March 8-10)
- Al parco. Storie piccole prima che faccia buio (In the Park. Little Stories Before Dark) — Collettivo LAN-DE-Sì
March 9-10
- Mio (Mine) — Compagnia TPO
- Due. Storia di un abbraccio (Two. Story of a Hug) — Compagnia Rodisio
- Tenir (To Hold) — a k entrepôt (France)
March 10-11
- Lavarropas (Washing Machine) — Manada (Chile)
- Cornici (Frames) — La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi
- Dàula. Al di là del mare (Dàula. Beyond the Sea) — Principio Attivo Teatro
March 11-12
- Sorpresa! (Surprise!) — Teatro Perdavvero
- Sum — Baychimo Teatro (Spain)
March 12-13
- Shhh! The Touch of Sound
- Coperta (Blanket) — Rotondes
- LiCHT (Light) — Dadodans (Netherlands), world premiere
March 13-14
- Loopneus (Loop Nose) — De Spiegel (Belgium)
- FLORes — Milimetro
- Anche tu? (You too?) — La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi
March 14-15
- ZèbrO — Zapoï (France)
- Atlas — Colectivo Atlas (Chile)
Conferences and Meetings
- March 12 — Conference "The Right Time: A New Common Path"
- March 14 — Symposium "The Meaning of Fairy Tales", with pedagogy scholars
- March 10-13 — AmEY (Artist meet Early Years), dedicated to artists under 35
- During the festival — "Andar per Nidi" (Going to Nurseries), a program for early childhood educators
Highlights Visions 2026
Prices Visions 2026
Practical information — Visions
How to get there
Teatro Testoni Ragazzi is located at Via Giacomo Matteotti 16 in Bologna, in the Bolognina district, a short distance from the central station. From Bologna Centrale Station, the theatre is reachable on foot in about 10-15 minutes or by public transport. By car, the recommended exit is from the ring road towards the center; paid parking is available nearby.
Tickets
Tickets and season tickets can be purchased online on the official website and at the theatre's ticket office. For information on costs and how to purchase: ticket office at +39 051 4153800, information at +39 051 4153700 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM) or at [email protected].
Practical advice
The shows are divided by age group (from 0-3 years up to 6 years): it is advisable to check the recommended age for each show when booking. Seats are limited and advance booking is highly recommended, especially for weekend shows.
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Where does it take place — Visions
Teatro Testoni Ragazzi
Via Giacomo Matteotti 16, 40129 Bologna