The Polo delle Arti Festival (PAF) returns from May 29 to June 4, 2025, a free-entry cultural event conceived by actor Gianfranco Gallo and promoted with the Polo delle Arti Caselli Palizzi, thanks to the support of the Department of Tourism of the Municipality of Naples. The event will take place in the evocative setting of the Palizzi Institute, in the heart of the city, behind Piazza Plebiscito.
Homage to Antonio Petito and the Commedia dell'Arte
After the last edition dedicated to the poet Libero Bovio, this year the PAF pays homage to Antonio Petito, unforgettable interpreter of the Pulcinella mask, with the theme “Totonno 'o pazzo and the Commedia dell'Arte”. A tribute to the Neapolitan theatrical tradition, revisited with the creative gaze of the new generations.
Art, education and tourism: a festival for the city
The project was born with the aim of actively involving students of art, music and dance high schools, through an annual path that culminates in the May festival. Each edition revolves around an inspiring figure chosen by the artistic direction, stimulating workshops and in-depth discussions with professionals in the sector. The goal? To extend the initiative to the whole of Campania and, in the future, to Italian art high schools.
Gallo: “A growth opportunity for young people and for Naples”
“The PAF wants to be an opportunity for discussion and socialization for young people, but also a resource for the city's tourism sector”, explains Gianfranco Gallo, creator of the festival, who avails himself of the collaboration of Luca Valter De Bartolomeiis. The evenings will be held in the historic garden of the Palizzi Institute, a green space that is still little known but of great charm.
PAF Award 2025: Tradition and Innovation at the Center of the Stage
The inaugural event is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 at 21:2025 p.m. with the awarding of the PAF XNUMX Prize to personalities who have been able to combine art, industry and culture in an innovative way. The evening will be hosted by Imma Tedesco. Among the winners:
- Giacomo Rizzo, actor
- Benedetto Casillo, actor
- Rachele Cimmino, event organizer
- Cristian Izzo, actor and expert of the Commedia dell'Arte
- Francesca di Transo, gallery owner
- Donatella Trotta, journalist
- Domenica di Sorbo, technical director USR Campania, artistic director of the association Note di classe”
- Gianluca Di Gennaro and Francesco Del Gaudio, actors of the Rai fiction “Champagne”
The evening will be accompanied by the music of the group “Paese mio Bello”, by the jazz guitarist Antonio Maiello and the bassist Michele Visconte, and will conclude with the musical show “Intorno a Pulcinella”, starring the students of the Music and Choreographic high schools of the Palizzi Institute.
Classical theatre on stage on June 3rd
The second evening, scheduled for Tuesday 3 June at 21 pm, will be dedicated to the show “Don Felice credevamo guaglione 'e 'n anno” by Antonio Petito, directed by Roberto Capasso and jointly produced by Teatro Tram and Teatro dell'Osso. An opportunity to rediscover the Neapolitan comic tradition through a “tasty burletta” signed by the last great interpreter of Pulcinella.
Industrial Art Museum: treasures to rediscover
On both first evenings of the festival (May 29 and June 3), from 19 pm it will be possible to visit the rooms of the Industrial Artistic Museum, custodian of a little-known heritage: over 6000 ceramic artefacts and numerous archaeological finds from Magna Graecia, all exhibited in a historical context of great value.
Grand finale with Giacomo Rizzo and special guests
On June 4th, at 21 pm, the festival closes with an Evening of Honor for Giacomo Rizzo, one of the last masters of traditional Neapolitan theater. A performance that intertwines body, rhythm, improvisation and irony, enriched by the participation of the actress Carla Schiavone and the pianist Gabriella De Carlo.
During the evening, the Special Award “Compleanno Napoli” will also be presented to the singer and performer Laura Valente, former voice of Matia Bazar.
In short
The Polo delle Arti Festival (PAF) returns from May 29 to June 4, 2025, a free-entry cultural event conceived by actor Gianfranco Gallo and promoted with the Polo delle Arti…
- The event will take place in the evocative setting of the Palizzi Institute, in the heart of the city, behind Piazza Plebiscito.
- Tribute to Antonio Petito and the Commedia dell'Arte After last year's edition dedicated to the poet Libero Bovio, this year the PAF…
- A tribute to the Neapolitan theatrical tradition, revisited through the creative lens of new generations.
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
The Polo delle Arti Festival (PAF) returns from May 29 to June 4, 2025, a free-entry cultural event conceived by actor Gianfranco Gallo and promoted with…
Why is this news relevant?
The event will take place in the evocative setting of the Palizzi Institute, in the heart of the city, behind Piazza Plebiscito.
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
Tribute to Antonio Petito and the Commedia dell'Arte After last year's edition, dedicated to the poet Libero Bovio, this year the PAF pays tribute to Antonio…
The PAF event seems very interesting, especially for young people and for Neapolitan culture. We hope that there will be many participants and that we can learn a lot. It would be nice to see more similar events in the future.