Santarcangelo Festival 2026 Opens with Performances on Resistance and Identity

The 56th edition of Santarcangelo Festival, curated by Tomasz Kireńczuk for the final time, opened on July 3, 2026, under the theme "deep pressures." The festival runs until July 12 in Santarcangelo di Romagna, featuring performances, workshops, and concerts. Highlights include Mehdi Dahkan's "KMs Of RESISTANCE" at Parco Baden Powell, where dancers use breath as a performative act on sand circles. Marah Haj Hussein and Nur Garabli presented "In Relation to Whom?" at Lavatoio, exploring the intersection of dance training and military language in occupied Palestine. The collective Motus screened their documentary "Òdio" at Supercinema, examining hate through a patchwork of testimonies from Quarticciolo, Rimini, and Hamburg. Jana Jacuka performed at ITS Molari, using voice as a physical instrument inspired by body art. Agnietė Lisičkinaitė and Igor Shugaleev staged "Clap & Slap," addressing patriotism versus nationalism through physical tension. The festival combines new trends with local memory, offering a simple yet effective program accessible to all.