The press conference to present the first edition of the Napoli Fringe Festival, a festival dedicated to the contemporary languages of live entertainment, was held this morning at the Teatro Mercadante.
Contents
- 1 Mayor Manfredi: “A festival that enhances the creativity of the neighborhoods”
- 2 Over 350 projects from all over the world: the response to the call
- 3 Laura Valente: “An inclusive and multidisciplinary format”
- 4 The whole city as a stage: from theatres to beaches
- 5 Identity, contamination and experimentation at the heart of the project
- 6 Numbers and symbolic places of the Naples Fringe Festival
- 7 The debut on May 28th and the grand finale in December
- 8 An author's manifesto signed by Resli Tale
The initiative, part of the Napoli 2500 program – the calendar of events to celebrate the 2500th anniversary of the city’s foundation – aims to transform Naples into a large, widespread theater.
Mayor Manfredi: “A festival that enhances the creativity of the neighborhoods”
During the press conference, the Mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi underlined the cultural and social significance of the event:
“The Napoli Fringe Festival represents an extraordinary opportunity to highlight the creative energy of our territory, enhancing the identity of the neighborhoods. A festival capable of blending tradition and innovation, inspired by the famous Edinburgh Fringe.”
Over 350 projects from all over the world: the response to the call
The call launched by the Municipality of Naples in recent months has collected more than **350 proposals**, including international ones. A clear sign of the growing cultural attractiveness of the city.
“An enthusiastic response – declared Councilor Teresa Armato – che confirms the vitality of the independent artistic scene in Naples. The Fringe will be a celebration of creativity that will involve residents and visitors.”
Laura Valente: “An inclusive and multidisciplinary format”
The artistic director of Napoli 2500, Laura Valente, illustrated the modular and inclusive identity of the festival:
“The Fringe formula has activated international artistic networks. The chapter format allows us to distribute the events over several months, through artistic residences and workshops. The twinning with the Fringe of Milan and Turin is an important signal for the construction of a national network.”
The whole city as a stage: from theatres to beaches
The Napoli Fringe Festival will bring theater, dance, music, street art, literature, visual and digital arts to streets, parks, courtyards, beaches and unconventional spaces. The project aims to go beyond the concept of a festival concentrated in a single period, to embrace an entire year.
Identity, contamination and experimentation at the heart of the project
In line with the spirit of the Fringe, the festival will give space to the contamination between genres, languages and generations. Shows, installations and performances will develop with a strong identity root, placing innovation at the center of the cultural experience.
Numbers and symbolic places of the Naples Fringe Festival
The numbers speak for themselves: 72 curtain raisers, 8 months of workshops, 280 creatives and over 330 operators involved.
The events will be held in symbolic locations such as the Real Albergo dei Poveri, Palazzo Donn'Anna, the Toledo metro station, the Vergiliano Park in Piedigrotta, Monte Echia and the neighborhoods of Forcella, Bagnoli, Secondigliano, San Giovanni a Teduccio, among others.
The debut on May 28th and the grand finale in December
The festival will kick off on May 28, 2025, with an intense program that will continue in July and culminate in December with a final chapter close to December 21, the symbolic date of Neapolis' "birthday".
An author's manifesto signed by Resli Tale
The official poster of the Napoli Fringe Festival is signed by Resli Tale, an artist and illustrator known for her collaborations with Il Corriere della Sera, La Stampa, Napoli Monitor and Penguin Books. A distinctive graphic sign that will accompany the visual identity of the festival.
Article published on May 22, 2025 - 16:35 pm
