Preview of the SEGNI Festival programme unveiled

The 18th edition of SEGNI New Generations Festival, an international theatre and art event dedicated to the new generations, as well as to professionals and enthusiasts, was unveiled to the Gazzetta di Mantova.

The Festival will be in Mantua from 29 October to 5 November 2023, but the appointment is already this Saturday, 9 September, when it will finally be possible to consult the programme in detail – in the much-loved and pocket-sized paper format – which can be leafed through and commented on in the “open-air lounge” in Piazza Concordia where families and children, together with the staff of SEGNI 2023, will also be able to colour in the traditional postcards with the Symbol Animal. The programme will be available on segninonda.org from Thursday 7 September, in its practical ‘day by day’ version.

There are several shows for very young children from 18 months of age that use the universal language of art and dance, one of which is “PLAYJAM” by ABC – Allegra Brigata Cinematica, a special event created on the occasion of “BergamoBrescia Capitale della Cultura 2023” as part of the “Che Spettacolo il 2023” (What a Show 2023), which sees the co-production with the Japanese artist residing in Holland, Makiko.

Also returning is the popular Bologna-based company, La Baracca – Testoni Ragazzi, with ‘ABACO’, which will involve adults and very young children in an interactive game with numbers and colours.

For children from three years of age, the programme also touches on the theme of travel, growth and diversity with shows such as “LOVNI” by Compagnie de la Casquette from Belgium, which will take children in a special spaceship, and “THE BIG 5”, which sees the return of the Dutch Meener Monster, who last year bewitched the audience in Segni with their western show, and this year will present the “mythical five” on stage, leaving it up to the public to discover these particular characters. And again, for children and families, the programme includes a special double date at the Ariston Theatre: “Streghe” (Witches) and “Naso d’argento” (Silver Nose) are the two titles by the Emilian artists of Progetto GG, in which immersive and impressionistic experiences will make people dream and discover the beauty of going to the theatre together.

There will be many titles aimed at primary school boys and girls, including a special experience for small groups at a time: it is HUMANA FORESTA, by Compagnia Petra, which will take its audience to explore the city’s green spaces. Also for the 6-10 year age bracket, the Drogheria Rebelot/BIBOteatro company with “CARTASÌA” and Pandemonium Teatro with “JIM IL PIRATA” will be coming to Mantua. Unmissable again this year are the cooking workshops in collaboration with Farmo and conducted by festival chef Gianfranco Allari.

This special 18th edition does not lack novelties to involve the public already familiar with the festival with the new and curious who are discovering Segni for the first time. Starting with the inauguration, which sees a series of preparatory appointments already starting in September, from a yoga and stretching class in the square to the colouring of particular animals: it will be these that, held by the public, will make up the inauguration parade on Sunday 29 October, which this year will be a collective dance that will animate the new Parco Te.

In the programme, it will be possible to discover a space that will animate the centre during the festival: it is the LUDOTECA SENSORIALE, which, at the Loggia del Grano, will welcome families and children to discover, with special stations dedicated to the 5 senses, the pleasure and well-being provided by “disconnecting from electronic devices”.

But it is to the teenage target audience that this edition addresses the most important novelties. First and foremost, the most eagerly awaited event that aims to involve Mantua’s adolescents and young adults: the TREASURE HUNT will be the launch event for the ForesTEEN project that sees Segni as the leader of the research on the adolescent target involving Fondazione Palazzo Te, Alce Nero and Cooperativa Hike; for this event communication will be managed in collaboration with BAG MAGAZINE, Mantua’s most popular guide to events for young people. The Treasure Hunt is scheduled for Saturday 4 November afternoon and will culminate at Spazio TE at 7 p.m., where a DJ Set “Chi trova un DJ trova un tesoro” will start. More information on how to participate is available at eventbrite.it and in the festival programme.

The Dutch De Dansers return to Mantua at the Teatro Ariston on the evening of 31 October, “HOLD YOUR HORSES”, a show dedicated to expressing one’s emotions amid acrobatics and live music. “Antigone” by Baracca Testoni Ragazzi, from the myth that crosses concepts such as honour and affront, tradition and change. The appointments that see the “TEEN” protagonists are confirmed: the “Spunti(ni) critici” and the “Teen Kitchen Table” return, in collaboration with the Milan Office of the European Parliament.

The festival box office will be open from 25 September. For info: biglietteria@segnidinfanzia.org | 0376 752882

Click here for more information on the Festival’s Symbolic Animal Competition.