Three days to look each other in the eye again: this is the message accompanying the first edition of "Spegni quel Cell", the International Children's Theatre Festival, scheduled for November 13th to 15th in Selargius, organized by Pinocchio Dance with the artistic direction of the famous ventriloquist Daniele Contu, the organization of psychologist Ivan Contu and with the patronage of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Selargius and the Region of Sardinia.
A cultural project born with a specific goal: to offer families an opportunity to reconnect, share emotions, and rediscover the value of relationships through the universal language of theater.
In an age where smartphones, social networks, and digital devices are increasingly occupying a prominent place in our daily lives, “Spegni quel Cell” invites adults and children alike to stop, turn off their screens for a few hours, and refocus our attention on people.
The festival will open with one of the most anticipated events: a meeting with Paolo Crepet, psychiatrist, sociologist, and writer, scheduled for Friday, November 13th at 9:30 PM, interviewed by Massimiliano Medda.
The extraordinary public interest in the presence of the renowned popularizer and essayist, always highly attended at his island performances, such as last year's sold-out performance at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari with over 1,500 enthusiasts listening to his monologue "Modere il cielo" (Break the Sky), testifies to the great interest in the themes of education, parenting, and the transformation of family relationships.
Crepet's participation represents a particularly significant moment within an event that aims to focus on dialogue between generations and stimulate reflection on the role of adults in accompanying the growth of young people.
But “Turn Off That Cell” doesn’t end with the meeting with Paolo Crepet.
The heart of the event consists of six shows dedicated to children and families, with artistic proposals capable of engaging audiences of all ages.
The program offers a journey through actor-led theater, puppetry, mime, and animated theater, through productions that focus on imagination, fun, and shared experiences between parents and children.
It starts on Friday, November 13th at 5:00 pm with “The Queen of Ashes” by the Tragodia Company, a funny parody of the famous fairy tale Cinderella.
At 6:30 pm it will be Steve Cable's turn with the puppet show "Othello and the Sorcerer".
Saeed Fekri's "The Enchanter," an intense show combining mime and clowning, will open the second day on Saturday, November 14.
Following this, there will be comedy from Nicola Cancedda, who will present the hilarious monologue “I Newragici”.
The final day of the festival will be Sunday, November 15th, with two more events: the opening performance, at 5:00 PM, will feature Veronica Gonzalez with “C'era due volte un piede,” an original animated theater show, while the closing performance, at 6:30 PM, will feature Daniele Pettinau of the Compagnia La Maschera, with his puppets performing the play “Efisio and the Plague.”
"We wanted to create a festival that wasn't just a series of performances, but an opportunity to reflect on the time we dedicate to our children and the quality of family relationships," explains Daniele Contu, the event's artistic director. "Our message isn't a condemnation of technology, which has become a part of our lives, but rather an invitation to rediscover balance. We want to remember that the most important emotions aren't conveyed through a screen, but through a shared experience. Theater is an extraordinary tool for rediscovering all of this. And we hope the Festival can become an event that grows over the years alongside the families of our region."
The performances will take place in the Teatro Si 'e Boi and its Musical Arts Hall, transforming the Selargius venue into a place of meeting, participation, and sharing for three days.
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