gARTen
THEATRE FESTIVAL IN THE PARK
Thursday, 2 July 2026
On its second day, the festival continues its exploration of the relationship between human beings and the environment. The performances will reflect on ecology, bodily memory and our ability to imagine the future.
PROGRAMME
7:00 p.m.: The play Meta Terra is an attempt to imagine and chart a sustainable future starting from our present. On stage, participants of the theatre workshops at the Teatro Faraggiana in Novara share their stories, creating narrative maps that open up new possibilities for the Earth.
8:45 p.m.: Senza coda is a solo performance that explores the transformation of the body throughout human history, navigating the tension between animal instinct, desire, and imagination. In a balancing act between instinct and control, Arianna Delle Gemme, a graduate of the Paolo Grassi Civic Theater School, brings to life an ambiguous and ever-changing universe—at once familiar and unknown—in which irony and unease emerge and coexist.
9:15 p.m.: with his solo performance Icarus, Marcello Malchiodi, draws inspiration from Greek mythology to explore the theme of imperfection To what extent does the body provide support, and when does it instead become a cage? A work that delves into raw physicality, uncovers its limits and fragility, and examines social pressures and the constant feeling of never being good enough.
10:00 p.m.: Qualcosa vive is the story of three women who meet by a depleted river. The CouCou collective—a trio from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri—uses song, acrobatics, and spoken word to reflect on our relationship with nature and the consequences of a system that turns everything into a resource and profit.
- Starting at 6:00 p.m., the park opens with DJ leMox, a food village, and Radio Morcote’s live broadcast
- All events are free of charge.
- Parking is available just a few meters from the Foundation.
- Under-25s and those arriving by bike or public transport receive a free drink!
- The festival will take place in all weather conditions.

gARTen has been awarded the EFFE Label (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe), a European label recognising outstanding festivals for their artistic commitment, community engagement and international outlook.
