Raizes Teatro: Radical Theater Method from Palermo to Nigeria and UN

Born in Palermo in 1987, Alessandro Ienzi is a lawyer, playwright, and director who established Raizes Teatro in 2019, challenging traditional narratives in social theater. His approach has reached northeast Nigeria, UN offices in Geneva, Egypt, the West Bank, and Afghanistan. Ienzi emphasizes the importance of transitioning from passive needs to active desires. The production 'Open!' showcases Amadou Diouf, a deaf unaccompanied minor from Senegal, alongside Yong Di Wang, a blind musician of Italian-Chinese descent. Raizes has partnered with numerous organizations and has performed at the European Parliament. In Maiduguri, Nigeria, Ienzi reopened the theater with a play addressing Boko Haram. He was awarded the UNETCHAT Prize and the Mediterranean Prize in 2025. Future projects include 'La caja de concreto' and 'Junior' for the Child Soldiers Summit in October 2026.