Centrale Fies Festival

The festival is organized into three distinct chapters, conceived as complementary moments of research, experimentation, and sharing, weaving together performance practices, music, and critical thought in an international context. This multifaceted journey brings artists, curators, and audiences into dialogue around the most dynamic forms of contemporary creation.

• From June 17 to 21, 2026, the festival opens with AEROPONIC, developed in collaboration with the Dutch Art Institute in Arnhem. The project presents an intensive program of performances created by the institute’s artists, accompanied by a rich calendar of free public events involving students, curators, and international mentors. The title refers to aeroponics, a soilless cultivation technique, used as a metaphor for artistic practices that are suspended and interconnected, nourished by exchanges, relationships, and shared imaginaries. During the five inaugural days, audiences can attend 20 performances and take part in 10 public events, including talks, performative actions, and moments of reflection.
   
• The second chapter, from July 17 to 19, 2026, is dedicated to Live Works, a project supporting and scouting emerging performance art. Eight performances, selected from over 400 international submissions, will present new languages and visions, alongside guest artists of international relevance who will engage in dialogue with emerging practices, fostering exchange across generations and artistic approaches.
   
• From July 23 to 26, 2026, the festival concludes with LOVE, four days devoted to the Italian music, dance, and theater scene. Established artists and new voices will bring to life a diverse and vibrant program that spans body, sound, and word, offering a plural perspective on contemporary artistic research in Italy. Participants include Francesca Pennini / Collettivo Cinetico, Wissal Houbabi, Violetta Cottini, Liminal / Lorenzo Pezzani, Mali Weil, Dewey Dell, Chiara Bersani, Industria Indipendente, Anagoor, and Paolo Della Piana.

Centrale Fies Festival is a thoughtful event because it builds a cultural program based on research, experimentation, and international exchange, highlighting contemporary performance as a space for dialogue between artists, curators, and the audience.