Theatre performances, musicians, ‘living’ puppets and travelling bands. From Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May, the streets and squares of the historic centre in Castelfiorentino (FI) will come alive.
Theatre performances and musicians, ‘living’ installations and street performances, miniature worlds and children’s fairy tales, a vintage and retro market, and street food. Preparations are in full swing for “In/Canti e Banchi”, a street theatre festival set to take over the streets and squares of the historic centre of Castelfiorentino (FI) from 22 to 24 May. Now in its 35th year, the festival is renewed every year with surprising shows and artistic content, completely free to attend and suitable for all.
The press conference was attended by Stefania Saccardi, President of the Regional Council; Brenda Barnini, Chair of the Economic and Rural Development Committee; as well as Francesca Giannì, Mayor of Castelfiorentino; Franco Spina, Councillor for Culture, Tourism and Communication; Alberto Masoni, from the Terzo Studio cultural association; and representatives of the associations involved in organising the event.
“In/Canti e Banchi,” said President Stefania Saccardi, “is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful and long-standing cultural and community events. For thirty-five years, this festival has transformed the historic centre of Castelfiorentino into an open space for gathering, creativity and participation, where street theatre, music, art and imagination become the shared heritage of the entire community. The value of this festival also lies in its ability to engage diverse audiences, whilst keeping a high-quality cultural programme free and accessible. The Region of Tuscany wholeheartedly supports initiatives such as this, which promote culture as a tool for social growth and community cohesion. Our thanks go to the Municipality, the associations, the artists and all those who contribute, with passion and commitment, to the success of this wonderful event.”
“This event is a source of great pride for the Empolese Valdelsa area,” said Regional Councillor Brenda Barnini, “and it is a celebration for the whole community, showcasing culture’s ability to authentically express the concerns of a region. The mayor is responsible for theatre matters across the entire Tuscan ANCI, and in these places there is a genuine culture of research and innovation.”
“A festival that demonstrates the cultural vitality of the municipality of Castelfiorentino,” said Mayor Francesca Giannì, “and showcases the quality of our amateur theatre. To mark the start of the festival, there will be a day of meetings with Tuscan theatre groups, attended by the regional councillor for culture, and a gathering with Tuscan theatre residencies. A festival that serves as a benchmark for the entire region.”
“The town is literally taken over,” said artistic director Alberto Masoni, “with twenty shows running simultaneously every evening; a festival not to be missed, presenting a variety of acts, all of which are of the highest quality.”
Much like a choral composition, there will be short theatrical interludes and roaming performances, Celtic and folk music, eccentric characters and enchanting choreography, puppet theatre, and shows that actively involve the audience. And a grand finale on Sunday, when eight theatre companies from across Tuscany will compete in the old town in an amateur ‘short circuit’ competition.
The festival kicks off on Friday 22 May (8.45 pm) with a grand “parade” of music, dance and costume, which will wind its way from Via XX Settembre through the streets of the town centre to Piazza Gramsci, accompanied by the music of the “G. Verdi” Philharmonic, enlivened by artistic gymnastics displays from the “I Giglio” sports club and enriched by the districts of the Palio di Castelfiorentino. From 9.00 pm, the shows begin: from the “suspended slaughterhouse” to Celtic dance, from the “dream-illuminating” Fairy to “Hansel & Gretel”, from the flying piano to opera sung from the windows of historic buildings. And then there are the theatrical performances, ranging from the immortal myths of Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” to puppet theatre, with several performances throughout the evening.
On Saturday 23 May (9.00 pm), a new series of performances: “Enchanted Unicorns” will make their appearance in the streets of the Natural Shopping Centre, whilst extraordinary creatures will float along Via XX Settembre; there will be bizarre characters with “theatre in the stomach” and other miniature figures straight out of a fairy tale. In Piazza del Popolo, a grand concert of folk music will be accompanied by improvisation and active audience participation, whilst the former Arena gardens will be brought to life by a cabaret show featuring “living” puppets. Via Attavanti will be dotted with theatrical performances and a performance by the Coro Lirico Castellano, which will present a more spontaneous and immersive version of “L’Esilir d’Amore”. At 11.45 pm, everyone to Piazza Gramsci for “Dis/Incanti”, singing and dancing with the DJ set “Back to the 90’s boys”
From Saturday afternoon through to Sunday, a multi-purpose market will bring together stalls selling vintage items, design pieces, crafts and modern antiques, whilst numerous street food stalls will offer visitors specialities to enjoy on the spot or take away. Sunday 24 May (from 9.30 am) an unmissable “fairytale journey” for children, with travelling storytelling sessions featuring “The Ugly Duckling”, “Cinderella” and “Jack and the Beanstalk”, whilst in the afternoon (from 4.00 pm) a theatre marathon in the upper historic centre with eight companies from across Tuscany (“Corti Circuito”) will bring the most picturesque alleys and corners of the old town to life: an unmissable series of performances and theatrical interpretations, as part of a programme organised and coordinated by TeatroCastello (non-stop performances until the awards ceremony, scheduled for 7.00 pm).
The programme will be rounded off by a number of events involving pupils from schools in Castelfiorentino (such as “Le forme dell’astrattismo”, street art inspired by the shapes and colours of modern art) and exhibitions: by Nico Paladini (Oratorio San Carlo), by the “Giglio Rosso” photography group (‘Il Progresso’ Club), by Alberto della Ragione (Cambio Cultural Centre), and finally the graphic exhibition ‘Corti Circuito’ (Via Tilli) created by graphic design students from the ‘F. Enriques’ Institute.
In/Canti e Banchi is organised by the Municipality of Castelfiorentino, under the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Metropolitan City of Florence and the Union of Municipalities of the Empolese Valdelsa District, in collaboration with the Fondazione Teatro del Popolo, Cambio Cultural Centre, Be.Go. Museum, the “F. Enriques” High School, the Comprehensive School, Wonderful Market, Cetra Cultura, Promocultura, the “Vallesiana” Municipal Library, the “Tre Piazze” Shopping Centre, and numerous sponsors such as Ente Cambiano, Toscana Energia, Unicoop Firenze, DM Container and Box.
For the event programme: http://www.incantiebanchi.it, http://www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it, as well as on the Facebook and Instagram pages.
