Periferico and Totem Arti Festivals: Community-Driven Theatre in Italian Peripheries

Two Italian festivals, Periferico in Modena and Totem Arti in Pontelagoscuro (Ferrara), aim to revitalize urban spaces through participatory theatre and art. Periferico, curated by Collettivo Amigdala and directed by Federica Rocchi, runs from May 25 to 27, 2018, in the Villaggio Artigiano of Modena Ovest, using disused workshops. Totem Arti, directed by Natasha Czertok of Teatro Nucleo, takes place from May 24 to 27 (preview May 18) in Pontelagoscuro. Both festivals involve local communities in selecting artists and shaping programs. Totem Arti features a youth jury selecting performances, while Periferico emphasizes relational art and a participatory magazine. The festivals view peripheries as spaces for experimentation, contrasting with the 'closed city' of formal urban centers. Notable performances include Stalker Teatro, Chiara Guidi reading Nelly Sachs, Alessandro Carboni's choreography, and Christophe Rocher's orchestra with non-musicians. The festivals foster long-term community bonds and cultural identity.