With the Moon on Our Shoulders — "A Curtain Between Sky and Earth" Theatre Festival

An evening of theatre under the stars in Sambuco

In the heart of the Stura Valley, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, the village of Sambuco hosts the play "With the Moon on Our Shoulders" in Piazza Municipio. It is one of the most popular highlights of the travelling theatre festival that brings the valley's villages to life every summer. This is open-air mountain theatre, designed to bring the local community and visitors together under the starry sky of the Maritime Alps.

A story of cross-border smuggling

The play, created by Compagnia Anfiteatro, draws inspiration from the history of cross-border smuggling, often remembered in local folklore as "romantic": from the salt trade to the rice era, spanning from the early 19th century to the immediate post-war period. It is a piece of history linked to the frontier lands and the ordinary people who lived there, defined by toil, cunning, fear, and solidarity along mountain paths.

On stage: voice, body, and live music

Performers Marco Continanza and Gian Battista Galli bring to life a narrative that alternates between hilarious scenes and deeply moving moments, accompanied by live folk music and singing. The result is a show that speaks to audiences of all ages, staying true to the spirit of the festival, which aims to bring "theatre to both young and old."

The "A Curtain Between Sky and Earth" festival

"With the Moon on Our Shoulders" is part of the "A Curtain Between Sky and Earth — Theatre for Young and Old in Stura Valley" programme, a summer festival involving several municipalities in the valley, from Roccasparvera to Demonte, Valloriate to Pietraporzio, and Aisone to Sambuco. Promoted by the Unione Montana Valle Stura with artistic direction from local theatre companies, it offers a series of free events every year, ranging from spoken theatre and puppetry to circus and music.

A village to discover

Sambuco is one of the smallest and most picturesque villages in the Stura Valley: a theatrical stop is the perfect opportunity to explore its streets, stone houses, and alpine vistas. The festival celebrates the heritage of these mountain villages, bringing high-quality performances to places where theatre becomes a local celebration and a moment of community gathering.

• Where: Piazza Municipio, Sambuco (CN)
• Company: Compagnia Anfiteatro
• Theme: Historical smuggling in the Stura Valley
• Admission: Free, as part of "A Curtain Between Sky and Earth"