In Rome, from 17 August to 26 September 2026, theatre becomes a space for encounter, education and reflection on the theme of welcome and inclusion.
Rome is not simply a city to visit: it is a place where stories, cultures and people have come together for centuries. It is within this context that “ENEIDE – Teatro della Migrazione” takes place, an intercultural and multidisciplinary theatre workshop that, for the second consecutive year, brings the journey of Aeneas to the heart of the Italian capital, transforming Virgil’s celebrated epic poem into a profoundly contemporary reflection.
From 17 August to 26 September 2026, the Sala Raffaello at Villa Fiorelli will host a programme dedicated to theatre training and inclusion, where the ancient myth engages with the experiences of contemporary migration, departures, exile, borders and the universal desire to find a place to call home.
From Aeneas’ Journey to New Geographies of Welcome
The Aeneid tells the story of a man forced to leave his homeland in search of a new future. An ancient story that, when reread through the lens of the present, takes on a surprisingly contemporary meaning.
“Each episode reinterprets Virgil’s poem in the light of contemporary migration,” explains Matteo Tarasco, artistic director and workshop leader, “restoring to the myth its original function: telling the universal story of those searching for a place where they can live in peace.”
The project is conceived as a space for professional and personal growth, where theatre becomes a concrete tool for inclusion and for nurturing young artistic talent.
Thirty performers under the age of 35, both Italian and migrants, are taking part in an intensive 45-day workshop covering collective playwriting, physical theatre, vocal work and multilingual experimentation. It is a journey in which different languages and cultures are not barriers, but an integral part of the artistic creation.
Three Performances to Tell One Journey
The programme will culminate in three performances open to the public, conceived as stages in a single overarching narrative.
29 August 2026 – APPRODO
Aeneas arrives on the shores of Latium, but his arrival becomes a metaphor for all the arrivals of our time.
“Approdo” (Arrival) is the first public presentation of the workshop and focuses on the experience of arrival after a journey marked by war, migration, borders and exile.
Through a physical and ensemble-based performance, enriched by the use of the performers’ native languages, the myth of Aeneas enters the present and engages with the stories and experiences of the young protagonists.
12 September 2026 – GUERRA
Arrival does not mean the end of the journey.
Once Aeneas reaches the promised land, he must face his greatest challenge: building a new city and a new sense of belonging while confronting conflict.
“Guerra” (War) brings the most dramatic side of community-building to the stage, exploring the relationship between identity, territory, violence and the desire to belong.