Vivaio – Cultivating Theatre in the City
The contemporary drama festival that cultivates theatre among the greenhouses of Terlizzi
About Vivaio
A nursery for theatre to sprout
Vivaio – Cultivating Theatre in the City is a contemporary theatre festival held every July in Terlizzi, in the province of Bari, in the heart of Puglia. Born in 2023 from the collaboration between the VicoQuartoMazzini company and the Zorba Social Cooperative, the festival takes the agricultural metaphor that defines Terlizzi—historically known as the City of Flowers for its floriculture tradition—literally: here, theatre is sown, nurtured, and grown together with the city's inhabitants.
Theatre beyond the stage
Vivaio's hallmark is its choice of unconventional spaces. With the local municipal theatre closed, the festival turned this challenge into an opportunity: performances take place in greenhouses, nurseries, ceramic workshops, and rediscovered urban sites, particularly at the Spazi S.E.R.R.E. along the road connecting Terlizzi to Ruvo di Puglia. The audience does not just watch; they traverse these spaces, inhabit them, and become part of the experience, following the vision of artistic director Michele Altamura, for whom "theatre must be a place where people meet."
Contemporary drama and young artists
The core of the programme is new Italian drama: Vivaio hosts site-specific performances, emerging artists under 35, and plays awarded in major national and European circuits, often accompanied by musical interludes ranging to electronic music. Alongside the performances, the Germogli (Sprouts) project gives space to the ideas of local youth, while artist talks and preparatory dialogues aim to foster an informed audience.
A project rooted in the community
Rather than focusing on size, Vivaio aims for intimate, participatory engagement: widespread hospitality for artists, collaboration with local associations, and nurturing relationships. The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Terlizzi and supported by the Ministry of Culture (MiC) and SIAE as part of the «Per chi crea» programme, with Rai Radio3 as media partner.
Vivaio — edition 2026
The fourth edition of Vivaio is confirmed in Terlizzi (Bari, Puglia) from July 15th to 19th, 2026, expanding to five days compared to previous years. Once again, the festival, curated by VicoQuartoMazzini and the Zorba Social Cooperative, brings contemporary drama to the Spazi S.E.R.R.E. and other unconventional locations in the city, under the artistic direction of Michele Altamura.
The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Terlizzi and supported by the Ministry of Culture and SIAE as part of the «Per chi crea» programme, with Rai Radio3 as media partner.
Programme Vivaio 2026
The complete programme for the 2026 edition is constantly being updated and will be released on the festival's official channels in the weeks leading up to the event. As in previous editions, the schedule includes site-specific contemporary theatre performances, musical interludes, and artist meetings, spread across the five days from July 15th to 19th at the Spazi S.E.R.R.E.
Titles and detailed times will be announced closer to the event.
Practical information — Vivaio
Where
Performances take place at the Spazi S.E.R.R.E. and other unconventional locations in Terlizzi (BA), Puglia. Exact locations for each performance are announced on the festival's official channels.
How to get there
Terlizzi can be reached by car via the SS16 bis or the Bari Nord exit of the A14 motorway. The city is connected by train via the Ferrotramviaria Bari–Barletta line (Terlizzi station).
Tickets and information
Tickets can be purchased online at diyticket.it or on the evening of the performance. For information: tel. +39 340 508 8491, email [email protected], or the Vivaio – Terlizzi Facebook page.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Vivaio
Spazi S.E.R.R.E.