Teatri Riflessi 2026

CODE: LUNARESC11

Work:

During the first few days of the camp, activities are dedicated to getting to know the group, sharing the project's objectives and preparing the festival's set-up. Volunteers participate in introductory workshops, team-building activities and the creation of set-up and communication materials, contributing to the construction of the spaces that will host the events. This phase also includes the preparation and implementation of a collective performance (flash mob), designed as an opportunity to connect with the local area and community. In the middle phase of the camp, the work focuses on completing the set-up in the various festival venues, with volunteers directly involved in the assembly, organisation and adaptation of the spaces. This phase is accompanied by workshops on contemporary performance languages and exchange activities with artists and members of the local community.
During the festival, volunteers assist staff in their daily activities, providing support in welcoming artists and spectators, assisting during shows, forums and art installations, as well as in activities related to internationalisation and public services. The camp ends with dismantling, cleaning of common areas and a final collective evaluation of the experience.
The daily commitment is approximately 8 hours per day, concentrated in the second half of the camp between the afternoon and evening, leaving time for free time, socialising and discovering the local area.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will be accommodated in a shared building in Zafferana Etnea, about 15 minutes away from the venue of the festival by foot. The building is provided with bathrooms, a washing machine, a dining area, a kitchen, and an outdoor space. The structure will also host the staff and the international artists of the festival. The accommodation is about 17 minutes by foot from the festival venue. The building is not provided with Wi-Fi and AC.
Volunteers will be lodged in two shared bedrooms and will cook for themselves, using a kitchen with a separate pantry and fully equipped with professional hobs, refrigerators, basic appliances, crockery and utensils suitable for the entire group. During the festival days, participants will receive a voucher so as to eat something together with the staff at the festival canteen.

Location and leisure

Located on Mount Etna, Zafferana Etnea is a town of around 9.600 inhabitants, but every year hosts plenty of tourists and travellers willing to go for a hike on the volcano or visit the nearby historical cities of Catania and Taormina. Zafferana is located at 600 metres above sea level, so it is usually less warm than in Catania during summer and can get chilly in the evening. During their free time, volunteers will have the opportunity to explore both the local area and some particularly interesting destinations in the surrounding area. Zafferana offers numerous opportunities for morning walks, light nature excursions, visits to woods and lava trails, as well as moments of relaxation in the historic centre and green spaces. During their two days off, volunteers can organise day trips to Mount Etna, as well as visits to cities and places of great cultural and naturalistic value in eastern Sicily, such as Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Acireale and the Riviera dei Ciclopi, all easily accessible from Zafferana. The area also offers a variety of hiking and outdoor experiences, such as guided treks, nature trails, bike excursions, visits to the Alcantara Gorges and river-related activities, allowing volunteers to experience the Etna area in an active and immersive way. During the free mornings of the festival week, these opportunities can be complemented by shorter explorations of the Etna villages, local markets and gastronomic traditions of the area.

Project hosted by

The camp is organised by Lunaria in collaboration with the IterCulture organization. Its main project Teatri Riflessi Festival, aims at promoting the contemporary performing arts in the peripheral area of Eastern Sicily, specifically on Mount Etna. Its main activities include an International Short Performance Competition that brings to Zafferana Etnea 12 contemporary dance and theatre works from all over the world, artist residency and community-based projects that allows citizens (3,000 spectators, especially non theatregoers) to attend performances and interact with artists from the contemporary performing arts scene.

Directions to meeting point

Closest Airport: Catania Fontanarossa CTA
Closest train/bus station: Zafferana Etnea bus stop

Additional comments