Mittelfest 2026: Paura
Celebrating its 35th edition, the festival unfolds across two international festivals: Mittelyoung, taking place from 14 to 17 May, and Mittelfest, from 16 to 26 July. Together, they create a continuous cultural dialogue, positioning the festival as a bridge between European collaborations and local communities.
The festival programme is built around the theme Paura (Fear), inviting the audience to explore their instinct for control while delving into the depths and mysteries of human nature. It engages with both ancient narratives and contemporary realities, opening up space for the unexpected.
In total, the two festivals will present 41 productions, featuring artists from 21 countries across Central Europe, the Balkans, neighbouring regions and beyond.
Mittelfest: 16-26 July 2026
A leading multidisciplinary festival focusing on Central Europe and the Balkans, Mittelfest brings together theatre, music, dance and circus in a rich and diverse programme. It features reinterpretations of classical works that offer new perspectives, alongside untold stories and rediscovered fragments of history. Blending genres and languages, the festival showcases both internationally renowned artists and emerging talents.
This year’s programme features 32 artistic projects from 16 countries, including 19 world and Italian premieres. It spans 17 music events, 7 theatre productions, 4 dance performances and 4 circus shows, alongside 3 additional performances selected through Mittelyoung.
Special attention is also given to younger audiences through the Family Project, maintaining a strong focus on the audience of tomorrow.
Mittelyoung: 14-17 May 2026
A unique event in Europe, Mittelyoung showcases performances created by artists under 30, selected by curators under 30. The initiative offers meaningful support to emerging talent, both by bringing their work to the stage and by contributing to production development.
Now in its sixth year, Mittelyoung has become one of the most distinctive features of Mittelfest within the Italian and European festival landscape. It gives audiences the opportunity to encounter a new generation of artists while actively supporting their professional growth.
Mittelyoung presents 9 winning projects selected from an open call that closed last February, which attracted 238 applications from 28 countries across Europe. The selected programme includes 2 theatre productions, 3 music performances, 2 dance works and 2 circus shows, representing 7 countries: Italy, Latvia, Germany, Czechia, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Slovenia.
More information about both festivals can be found on www.mittelfest.org