ForesTEEN Academy 2026: SEGNI al Giglio – il programma
Giglio Island Becomes a European Cultural Hub: The ForesTEEN Academy Returns April 22–26, 2026
A total immersion in nature, theater, and intergenerational dialogue in the heart of the Mediterranean, featuring youth and cultural operators from across Europe.
Isola del Giglio, April 7, 2026 – For the fifth year, Giglio Island confirms its status as a vital center for European cultural experimentation. From April 22 to 26, 2026, the ForesTEEN Academy returns. This immersive format, created by the Mantua-based artistic and cultural association Segni d’infanzia, transforms the island into an open-air stage and a collaborative space for co-designing the future of culture.
Co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe program, the Academy welcomes an international group of over 20 participants—including teenagers and young adults (ages 15-25), artists, researchers, and cultural professionals—hailing from Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Serbia, Sweden, Slovakia, Romania, Ireland, France, Italy, Ukraine, and England.
A Festival for the Community
The Academy is more than just a training program; it is a “widespread festival” designed to involve residents and tourists of all ages. The 2026 program offers a perfect balance of creative workshops, site-specific performances, social gatherings, and nature trekking, all aimed at breaking down generational barriers and stimulating active participation in the local cultural life.
Activities: Walking Dialogues and Art Under the Trees
The heartbeat of the experience for young participants remains the Trekking Discussions: transgenerational dialogues held along the island’s scenic trails (from Capel Rosso to Fenaio and Scopeto), where physical movement becomes a metaphor for collective reflection. These excursions will be enriched by artistic contributions open to the general public, featuring the Campsirago Residenza Company (Lecco), the SemiVolanti Company (Pisa), and the Tuscan visual artist Ginevra Giovannoni, known as Rame 13.
The Project Vision
Born from the roots of the Segni al Giglio festival, the ForesTEEN Academy is now a cornerstone of the international ForesTEEN project. Segni d’infanzia leads a consortium of nine European partners in collaboration with ASSITEJ International.
“ForesTEEN is a forest of people, ideas, and actions,” explains Cristina Cazzola, Artistic Director of Segni d’infanzia. “The Academy on the island is our most fertile ground for cultivating an ‘ecology of culture’ that recognizes young people as the primary engines of change.”
Info and Participation
All public activities are free of charge. Reservations are required via WhatsApp at +39 375 6382711. To follow the experience in real-time and see “behind the scenes” content, check out the Instagram profiles @teentheatrenetwork and @segnidinfanzia.
This initiative is made possible thanks to the technical sponsorship of Maregiglio, which handles the transportation of participants from Porto Santo Stefano.
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM
All activities are open to residents and tourists. Entry is free with mandatory WhatsApp reservation at +39 375 6382711.
PREVIEW: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Ahead of the official start, the Academy offers a special tribute to the island:
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6:00 PM – 7:15 PM | ALBERI MAESTRI Kids: An itinerant performance for everyone (ages 6+) – Pineta del Castello (Pine Forest).
Wednesday, April 22
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6:00 PM – 7:15 PM | ALBERI MAESTRI (75’): Welcome performance for participants – Pineta del Castello.
Thursday, April 23
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6:00 PM – 7:15 PM | SIAMO MOLTITUDINI (75’): Performance for audiences ages 6+ – Lombi Castello.
Friday, April 24
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6:00 PM – 7:15 PM | SIAMO MOLTITUDINI (75’): Performance for audiences ages 6+ – Lombi Castello.
Saturday, April 25
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2:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Preparation for the performance Oltrepassare.
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5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | OLTREPASSARE: A meeting between the ForesTEEN Academy 2026 and the friends of Giglio Island – Giglio Castello.
INFO AND CONTACTS
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WhatsApp: +39 375 6382711
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Social Media: @segnidinfanzia – @teentheatrenetwork
