ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sul Filo del Circo Festival Returns to Turin with Focus on Femininity

festival-fair · 2026-04-27

In July 2021, Italy's top contemporary circus festival, Sul Filo del Circo, returned to the Parco Culturale Le Serre in Grugliasco, Turin. Organized by Fondazione Cirko Vertigo, the event featured performances from 15 countries. Paolo Stratta, the festival's artistic director, emphasized the importance of increasing women’s roles in the arts. Among the highlights were two pieces from blucinQue, directed by Caterina Mochi Sismondi: 'Gelsomina Dreams,' celebrating Federico Fellini’s centenary with a blend of circus, dance, and live music, and 'Vertigine di Giulietta–Distance modée,' which offered a unique dance and acrobatic take on a Shakespeare character, featuring cello by Bea Zanin. Teatro delle Foglie's 'Kairos' examined the idea of the 'supreme moment,' while Compañia Depàso's 'Trottola' used humor to depict human chaos.

Key facts

  • Sul Filo del Circo festival took place in July 2021 at Parco Culturale Le Serre in Grugliasco, Turin.
  • The festival is organized by Fondazione Cirko Vertigo.
  • Artists from fifteen countries participated.
  • Artistic director Paolo Stratta selected companies to valorize femininity and promote equal opportunities.
  • blucinQue presented two shows directed by Caterina Mochi Sismondi: 'Gelsomina Dreams' and 'Vertigine di Giulietta–Distance modée'.
  • 'Gelsomina Dreams' was an homage to Federico Fellini on his centenary.
  • 'Vertigine di Giulietta' featured live cello music by Bea Zanin.
  • Teatro delle Foglie performed 'Kairos' with a set of hourglasses and a transforming cabinet.
  • Compañia Depàso performed 'Trottola' by Clara Larcher and Jose Cerecéda.
  • The festival emphasized the fluid nature of contemporary circus, combining circus arts with dance, music, literature, and philosophy.

Entities

Artists

  • Paolo Stratta
  • Caterina Mochi Sismondi
  • Bea Zanin
  • Elena Fresch
  • Marta Finazzi
  • Nicolas Benincasa
  • Damian Fiore Giralt
  • Lucie Vendlova
  • Marco Meneghel
  • Clara Larcher
  • Jose Cerecéda
  • Federico Fellini

Institutions

  • Fondazione Cirko Vertigo
  • Parco Culturale Le Serre
  • blucinQue
  • Teatro delle Foglie
  • Compañia Depàso

Locations

  • Grugliasco
  • Turin
  • Italy

Sources