LaivIn 2026: 300 students for theatre festival (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• 300 students in 3 days for 12 theater performances and workshops
• Festival organized by Teatro Periferico with Alchemilla
• Participation of high schools and unaccompanied foreign minors

Key facts

• What: LaivIn Plus theater and workshop festival
• When: From May 26 to 28, 2026
• Where: Cassano Valcuvia and Mantua
• Who: Teatro Periferico, Alchemilla, Fondazione Cariplo
• Number: 300 participating students
• Where: Cassano Valcuvia, a town of 650 inhabitants on the border with Switzerland

The well-being of the young people and their growth, along with that of the entire community, are the goal and at the same time the added value of the LaivIn Plus Festival, scheduled for May 26 to 28 in Mantua and Cassano Valcuvia. Paola Manfredi, artistic director of Teatro Periferico, which organizes the Valcuvia edition of the Festival with Alchemilla, tells us about the vitality and strengths of the event, which will bring 300 young people to the village over three days for 12 theater performances and workshops.

Teatro Periferico has been entrusted with the task of organizing this Festival, which takes place simultaneously in Mantua with Teatro Magro, directly by Fondazione Cariplo and the project leader Alchemilla. Cassano Valcuvia, a town of 650 inhabitants on the border with Switzerland, is not perhaps a marginal place, but certainly a peripheral one, in an area also poorly served by public transport. However, the choice of the promoters of LaivIn is the same as that of Teatro Periferico, i.e., to support cultural centers in peripheral areas because they are important in ensuring community growth, social cohesion, and participation.

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Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers and the local community

The LaivIn Plus Festival represents a unique opportunity for the community of Cassano Valcuvia, a small town on the border with Switzerland, to experience a culturally enriching event. The participation of 300 students from various high schools in Lombardy and Piedmont, along with unaccompanied minors and young people with disabilities, creates an inclusive and stimulating environment.

For cross-border workers living and working in Ticino, such initiatives can offer opportunities for integration and cultural exchange. The geographical proximity between Cassano Valcuvia and the Canton of Ticino facilitates participation in cultural events like this, which can enrich the social and community life of cross-border workers.

Workshops and activities for personal growth

Art workshops and moments of reflection on trenches, life, and peace offer participants the opportunity to explore important themes in a safe and supportive context. The listening workshop with Alchemilla within the Documentation Center is an example of how the festival promotes personal growth and social cohesion.

Theater as a tool for inclusion

Theater is a powerful tool for inclusion, capable of uniting people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The participation of young people with disabilities and unaccompanied minors underscores the importance of inclusion and sharing. Such initiatives can have a positive impact on the local community, promoting mutual understanding and respect.

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Key points

How to Participate and What to Expect

For cross-border workers interested in participating in the LaivIn Plus Festival, it's important to know the access methods and the planned activities. The festival will take place from May 26 to 28, 2026, in Cassano Valcuvia and Mantua, with the participation of 300 young people from various high schools in Lombardy and Piedmont.

Program and Activities

The festival program includes 12 performances and decentralized theater workshops, as well as art workshops and moments of reflection on trenches, life, and peace. Participants will have the opportunity to get to know each other, discuss, attend workshops, and eat together, creating a sharing and growth environment.

Inclusion and Accessibility

The festival is open to everyone, with particular attention to the inclusion of young people with disabilities and unaccompanied migrant minors. This inclusive approach makes the LaivIn Plus Festival a unique event of its kind, capable of uniting people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Opportunities for the Local Community

For the community of Cassano Valcuvia, the festival represents an opportunity for growth and social cohesion. The participation of 300 young people from various high schools in Lombardy and Piedmont, together with unaccompanied migrant minors and young people with disabilities, creates an inclusive and stimulating environment.

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