MITTELFEST 2025: TABÙ
15 – 18 May Mittelyoung / 18 – 27 July Mittelfest
Cividale del Friuli
Artistic direction Giacomo Pedini
At its xxxiv edition, with the theme Tabù (Taboo), Mittelfest explores our boundaries, honouring and breaking them, and the resultant fear, with all its possibilities and variables.
Mittelfest 18-27 July: The festival presents 29 artistic projects from 15 countries, including 19 world or Italian premieres and 6 productions/co-productions, with powerful stories from the present and the past, popular events and a focus on family projects. It combines the biggest names on the national and international scene with new talents, and then styles, genres and languages to probe the limits of our taboos.
Mittelyoung 15-18 May: A unique event in Europe, staging 9 selected performances of prose, dance, music and circus from under-30 Mitteleuropa, thus giving substantial support to young people, chosen by other young people.
Are we actually free to move beyond the cage of thought, of tradition, of acquired and unspoken norms, even before the written ones? What are the unspoken conditioning factors that pull the strings of our being in the world and determine the character of a civilisation? With these questions, the exploration of the theme TABÙ (TABOO) begins, giving life to the XXXIV edition of Mittelfest – a multidisciplinary festival of theatre, music, dance and circus for the countries of Central Europe and the Balkans, based in Cividale del Friuli.
This is how Mittelfest Artistic Director, Giacomo Pedini, explains the theme that inspired him for the programme: “Taboos have to do with the boundaries that a civilisation sets for itself, even before the written law or the given word. They mark the border between what is sacred and what is forbidden, between what is right and what is wrong. Today, Europe is experiencing great trauma, which entails the very shifting of its boundaries, so I felt an urgency to explore them. This will be done with several shows and different languages, to probe what is repressed, socially and privately, and sometimes to break through these boundaries.”
The two international festivals are staged respectively from 15 to 18 May, Mittelyoung, and from 18 to 27 July, Mittelfest, while throughout the year Mittelfest goes on under the name of Mittelland, with events that give continuity to the festival and identify it as a bridge between European collaborations and local realities. Mittelfest is also part of the celebrations of GO2025! – Nova Gorica and Gorizia European Capital of Culture with the project Inabili alla morte – Nezmožni umreti (Unfit for death), featuring its final performances between Gorizia and Nova Gorica from 16 to 18 September.
In numbers, the two festivals stage a total of 38 titles, involving artists from 17 different countries in Central Europe, the Balkans and neighbouring countries, and other countries of the world (Italy, Germany, Syria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Slovenia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Hungary, Albania, Austria, Russia, Latvia, Romania).
In detail, this year Mittelfest has 29 artistic projects – 16 music, 6 theatre, 4 dance and 3 circus, plus the 3 shows selected from Mittelyoung, with 19 world and Italian premieres, 6 productions and co-productions. Mittelyoung hosts the 9 winning projects from the call for entries closed last February with 182 applications from all over Europe: 2 theatre, 3 music, 2 dance and 2 circus, representing 5 different countries.
MITTELFEST 18-27 July
Programme
The festival’s official ribbon cutting takes place on Saturday 19 July at the Church of San Francesco. Still, Mittelfest curtain is rising as early as 18 July with two special events, the second of which marks the beginning of the great events in Piazza Duomo, in Cividale city centre.
The first is dealt with alongside prose plays; the second, Cartoon night, features the singer Tosca, FVG Orchestra and a white voices choir in a Disney atmosphere of colours and animations. A co-productionFVG Orchestra, Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini andMittelfest2025.
Mittelfest 2025 edition closes on 27 July with another great concert, co-produced with Ravenna Festival, starring Malika Ayane and Orchestra Corelli, in a musical dialogue conducted by Daniele Parziani and with Carlo Gaudiello on piano.
Other events in Piazza Duomo include, on 20 July, La Sonata a Kreutzer. Tra Passione e Perdizione (The Kreutzer Sonata. Between Passion and Perdition), with renowned violinist Laura Marzadori, Gioele Dix as narrator and I Solisti di Pavia: here, Lev Tolstoy’s pages meet Beethoven’s composition of the same name.
The programme of Theatre shows includes several new proposals, with many big names from the Italian scene. Starting on 19 July, with The other side, a world premiere from the text by Argentinian Ariel Dorfman, with Elisabetta Pozzi, Gigio Alberti and Giuseppe Sartori, directed by Marcela Serli. A story of borders set in a house that, after the war, is divided in half between two countries.
Another important world premiere is the show Illusioni (Illusions), on 25 July, with Vinicio Marchioni directing Ivan Vyrypaev’s text and, on stage, Lino Guanciale – a welcome return for Mittelfest – and Ivna Bruck, Serena Ferraiuolo, Andrea Tich. It is the story of two couples and their intertwined lives, between loves, betrayals, friendships, hidden desires and taboos.
Again, among the most eagerly awaited shows, on 27 July it is time for Argo (Argos), from the book “Storia di Argo” (History of Argos) by Mariagrazia Ciani dramatised by Letizia Russo, with Serena Sinigaglia directing a cast made up of the beloved Trieste actress Ariella Reggio, Maria Ariis and Lucia Limonta, to tell a story of exodus, experienced through the life of the author who, after World War II, had to leave Pula and her dog behind.
Then, a powerful story premieres on 18 July with the German/Syrian play The long shadow of Alois Brunner byMudar Alhaggi, directed by Omar Elerian. Itportrays part of the story of one of the most heinous Nazi criminals, Alois Brunner, who escaped capture and found refuge in Damascus, contributing to the establishment of Syria’s intelligence services. Fragments of his story are staged in a co-production Euro-scene Leipzig, Factory International and Theater an der Ruhr, and it arrives at Mittelfest thanks to the support of Perform Europe.
Focusing just as strongly on the present, Teatri di guerra (Theatres of War) – an Italian-Ukrainian world premiere on stage on 23 July – translates into a live show the well-known podcast by Rai Radio 3 authors Graziano Graziani and Enrico Baraldi, one of today’s most lucidreadings of the Russia-Ukraine war, and questioning the meaning of making theatre under the bombs.
To close the prose programme, an Italian-Friulian-Hungarian-English reinterpretation of Hamlet, by Paolo Antonio Simioni and EuAct company, directed by Paolo Antonio Simioni: Elsinore takes us back to the mythical and primordial meaning of Shakespeare’s drama, to that ‘Coast of the Gods’ which is the true meaning of Elsinore. On 24 July, the show is a world premiere produced by Centro Teatro dei Navigli, in the framework of a project with ARLeF – Agjenzie regjonâl pe lenghe furlane and Mittelfest2025.
An itinerant show halfway between words and music is, instead, Peripatetiche all’ascolto. Itinerari di ascolto attivo e d’intervento sonoro collettivo (Itineraries of active listening and collective sound intervention) by Fabrizio Saiu, with performances on 25, 26 and 27 July: it is an invitation for the audience to walk and listen, exploring a sound environment with headphones and microphones, to encounter their hearing in everyday places as something new.
Moving on to music, powerful rhythms and quality choices dominate the programme. Starting with the world repertoire and the concert by Divanhana, Sevdalinka, who arrive at Mittelfest on 21 July in its Italian premiere, to take the audience into the heart of the Balkans and introduce the ancient genre of urban song from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A great female percussion show arrives from Belgium to Cividale on 22 July, again in its Italian premiere, after selling out at home and in France: Lay this drum!, by Gaëlle Swann & Co, sees five female artists beat the rhythm of their strength and overturn clichés about the role of women with irony and impertinence. An Italian premiere is also the Slovenian show Trieste-Istanbul A/R (Trieste-Istanbul round trip), by Gugutke, another invitation to dance, on 23 July, on a musical journey from Trieste to Istanbul, round trip, to blow up the borders and blend them in a single geo-musical region. Next, on 24 July, from Albania comes ShkodraElektronike-feat Albanian Iso-Polyphonic Choir, an exceptional concert of electronic music, Balkan rhythms and Albanian polyphonic choirs, by the duo Kolë Laca (former Teatro degli Orrori) and Beatriçe Gjergji, who arrive at Mittelfest, after representing Albania at Eurovision 2025, with the traditional Albanian Iso-Polyphonic Choir.
The Austrian Erlkings take the audience from world and pop music to the classical repertoire with a great concert, halfway between genres, breaking canons and taboos, on 26 July again in Piazza Duomo in an Italian premiere, entitled Franzl & Robert, in playful reference to Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann, two masters of the Austrian classical music to whom this unconventional show is dedicated.
The Croatian pianist Ivo Pogorelich makes a welcome return with his concert Ivo Pogorelich a Mittelfest Tabù on Mittelfest stage on 20 July. Each of his concerts is a sensory experience beyond all canons, a direct confrontation with sound, time and silence.
Further on, Sturm und Drang, an educational concert with an introduction and commentary by Radio 3 musicologist Guido Barbieri,deals with the taboo subject of suicide through two musical masterpieces, Brahms’ Quartet Op. 60 (1875) and a movement from Mendelssohn’s Quartet Op. 3, both composed for piano and strings and performed by talented soloists, combined with the work of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and the figure of the young Werther, to express the vertigo of Romanticism. A world premiere on stage on 27 July and produced by Associazione Sergio Gaggia.
The musical programme closes with performances by Conservatorio Jacopo Tomadini di Udine and Conservatorio Giuseppe Tartini di Trieste, respectively on 22 July with Jazz Tabù, conducted by Glauco Venier, a world premiere of a jazz explosion that pays tribute to the power of forbidden music, which shook censorship and totalitarianism with syncopated rhythms, and on 25 July with Paure (o scherzi) (Fears or jokes), conducted by Andrej Bursać, that sees Central European CEMAN Orchestra on stage with its students, to explore in music the illusion of life’s game, beyond the barricades of what we fear.
This leads to the Dance programme.
On the opening day of the festival, 19 July, Radar. Danza Verticale (Vertical Dance), is a performance suitable for everyone, with concept, choreography and video by Wanda Moretti, who takes us to the mast of a boat in the middle of the sea to open our eyes beyond our sight. On 21 July Messaggeri (Messengers) merges dance, visual arts and sacred choral music in a project by Maria Elisabetta Novello, with choreography by Roberto Cocconi, in a world premiere offering an inner quest, where dancers move slowly, with their eyes to the sky, as ‘messengers’ of light in this dark age. It is a production by Areaarea, Coro Polifonico di Ruda and Mittelfest2025.
Then, on 26 July, Sconfinamenti. Dialogo tra musica e danza (Border crossing. Dialogue between music and dance) by Nicola Galli – an exponent of the current nouvelle vague of Italian dance – and composer and violinist Rodrigo D’Erasmo – a historic member of the band Afterhours –who dialogue in an ever-changing choreographic-musical score, created in the very moment.
Opening up the family project is the last dance performance, On a lonely island, an Italian premiere by the group MAN || CO from the Netherlands with the support of Performing Arts Fund NL, also on 26 July: a hilarious ode to the explorers in the world, who are shy, enthusiastic, impulsive. An adventure of discovery, confidence, doubt, and fun for the whole audience.
As part of the family project, on 19 and 20 July, again with the support of Performing Arts Fund NL, the hilarious Hands up, with concept, puppets, text, and direction by the brilliant Dutch artist Leo Petersen (Lejo) and original music. With the simple use of his hands, he brings to life worlds, stories and hilarious gags that need no words. Then, on 20 July, Banda storta circus spies on the lives of the artists of Compagnia Samovar, in their dearest place, the stage, amidst suitcases, phones, fruit, waltzes, saxophones, hats, fear and more. Finally, the Austrians Erlkings return on stage for the show The Schubadour, on 27 July, the festival closing day: a unique journey into the enchanting world of Franz Schubert’s Lieder, with fresh interpretations of classic songs and lots of humour, to transport children into an imaginative world.
Three more circus shows complete the programme of Mittelfest 2025. On 23 July, in an Italian premiere, with Loop Losers Cirque Company, a companyfrom Prague between circus, dance and acrobatics, introduces five individuals who explore, dismantle and recompose life loops. On 19 and 20 July, again from the Czech Republic, The Trick Brothers present their Skiing Odyssey, the story of two cross-country skiers who, in the middle of summer, end up on an odyssey, on a wandering and self-ironic journey, with a mysterious end: a circus show for all, young and old alike. Produced with the support of the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Milan, Czech Centre Milan.
Finally, on 24 July, Crazy pony by the Swiss duo Banjocircus is a crossover between bluegrass music, circus and comedy, where the volcanic virtuosities of a banjo and the charming notes of a bass meet street theatre.
Furthermore, Mittelfest hosts the 3 shows selected from Mittelyoung and many side events. These include the Adelaide Ristori Prize (20 July), a number of ‘Kaffee’ with artists and Mittelimmagine shorts films. And this year also MitteLounge on 21 and 22 July: music and aperitifs at sunset in the marquee in the Ursulines’ Garden, with local bands. Finally, on 23 July, Mittelfest hosts the Forum of Associazione Mitteleuropa: guest country Croatia.
MITTELYOUNG 15 – 18 May
Since its inception 5 years ago, Mitteyoung, Mitteleuropa under-30 festival, is one of the most original features that Mittelfest brings to the panorama of Italian and European festivals, to give audiences the chance to see a generation on stage and, at the same time, to give actual productive support to young people.
9 shows by artists under 30 have landed at Mittelyoung 2025, including music, theatre, dance and circus, from 5 countries (Italy, Latvia, Germany, Netherlands, Romania) after an open call that attracted 182 applications from 22 countries. Among the under-30 curatores – Alice Comodin, Alice De Colle, Aurora Basso, Aurora Meroi, Benedetta Floreancig, Chiara Vendola, Davide Romani, Debora Gigli, Elisa Tosolini, Emanuele Golfetto, Francesca Bauso, Gabriele Marcon, Gaia Terlicher, Ilaria Maninetti, Jacqueline Garofoli, Jessica Burcus, Jillian Gregori, Michela Cipolat, Noemi Gosgnach, Paola Pilosio, Rebecca Ghio, Rebecca Greca, Silvio Bartoli, Sofia Fraziano, Sofia Mauro, Sophie Parente, Tilen Oblak, Silvia Trodella, Valentino Dalmasson -, five have been included in the jury through an open call, and all together they selected the 9 shows of the young festival, 3 of which will be selected for the main festival.
The prize awarded by a jury of experts is confirmed for 2025. The jury members, called upon to evaluate and endorse Mittelyoung most interesting proposals, are Ales Novak, director of Bornistkovo Festival in Maribor, Matilde Vigna and Roberto Canziani.
Special thanks to the partners of the project: Accademia Eleonora Duse Centro Sperimentale di Cinema e Arti Performative, Associazione culturale Arearea, Conservatorio Statale di Musica Giuseppe Tartini di Trieste, Conservatorio Statale di Musica Jacopo Tomadini di Udine, Fondazione Luigi Bon, University of Trieste, University of Udine, SNG Nova Gorica, Associazione culturale Circo all’incirca, Convitto Nazionale Paolo Diacono, Istituto Tecnico Arturo Malignani, Scuola di Danza Erica Bront, Teatro Club Udine – Palio Teatrale Studentesco.
Il programme:
Mittelyoung is being held from 15 to 18 May 2025 in the Church of Santa Maria dei Battuti in Cividale with the following programme.
On 15 May it opens with the dance show Solitario, by Collettivo HUM, with performance and concept by Anya Pozza, Kyda Pozza andAurora Sbailò (Italy): a show that shuffles thoughts and playing cards and that, with three dancers on stage in space, explores what happens in our minds when we are alone, between taboo and outrages. Followed by Sorvina Live Concert (Germany), with words and music by Sorvina Carr, a New York-born and Berlin-based artist, in love with hip-hop and storytelling. For the first time in Italy, with each song she tells a chapter of her own story, making ours resonate as well.
On 16 May, the curtain opens with the ensemble Le Doux Rossignol (Italy) and the music show Chi disprezza compra (The disparager is often the buyer) (music, Italy): a journey at the court of Versailles, under Louis XIV, mixing pure French music with Italian music, which was not well received at the time, to explore taboo subjects. Next up is the dance of Beyond26 (Netherlands), in which Carmine Vigliotti and Sophie Tukker explore, by moving and searching, interpersonal relationships and the daily struggle to maintain authentic connections.
On 17 May, the day begins with the circus performance by Mad Beltrami Both (Italy), on the theme of opposites and nuances that make those extremes much more similar than they seem. Thus, the body on stage writhes in pain, but it may be pleasure that moves it. The programme continues with a music show from afar: New resonance: Saxophone Unbound (Latvia), a solo saxophone concert by Ģirts Grigorjevs, that subverts all our expectations of this instrument, combining singing with sound and music, and alternating between pieces the words of the British philosopher Alan Watts. At the end, C19H28O2 (o Come Avere le Palle) (C19H28O2 or How to have balls), a theatre show by Lidi Precari (Italy), with script and direction by Riccardo Rampazzo and starring Leonardo Cesaroni, Eny Cassia Corvo and Paolo Sangiorgio. The title refers to the chemical formula of testosterone, to introduce us to a nighttime journey in the open sea, in which two fishermen, Loris and Gu, discuss masculinity for days, between unbridled joy and fragility, and the mystery of femininity.
Finally, on 18 May, the circus is on stage once again with Bless (Italy) by Riccardo Saggese, an autobiographical tale of rejection and rebirth, in which the artist offers himself in acrobatics and considerations to retrace his struggles for survival. This edition of Mittelyoung closes with the theatre play Shadows and Lights (Romania) by Magic Puppet Theatre directed by Cătălin Mardale, with a text by Petro Ionesco: a puppet show based on the heartfelt accounts of inmates of the Gherla penitentiary, the prejudices and stigma they face when reintegrating into society.
Mittelfest is also its territory and its city, Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a network of audiences, artists, guests, citizens and a network of hotels, restaurants and cafés in one of Italy’s most renowned regions for history and food. An international food and wine landmark surrounded by the unique landscapes of the Natisone and Torre Valleys, the perfect land for slow tourism.
Info: www.mittelfest.org
MITTELFEST PRESS OFFICE:
National/International: Giulia Calligaro – giulia.calligaro4@gmail.com
0039.349.6095623
Macroregional: Francesca Gatti: f.gatti@reportagepr.com, 0039.347.9854644
General: ufficiostampa@mittelfest.org
