The San Marino International Arts Festival will be back from August 1st to 3rd.

The countdown has begun for the 18th edition of the San Marino International Arts Festival: one of the most exciting and beautiful weekends in San Marino's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes place from August 1st to 3rd.

The detailed program of shows, concerts, workshops, and creative labs that will enliven the squares and stages is already available on the website www.smiaf.org: an open-air stage that confirms its international vocation, presenting over 30 artists from all over the world.

Institutional Statements

Federico Pedini Amati (Minister of Tourism): "The SMIAF – San Marino International Arts Festival returns for the 18th consecutive year, one of the flagship events that this Ministry and the Republic of San Marino offer as part of their summer program. It is an event of international importance, capable of attracting numerous tourists and standing out in the local performing arts scene. I am sure the performances offered will excite, engage, and, this year more than ever, stimulate the active participation of citizens. My sincere thanks go to the organizers for the commitment and passion they continue to devote to this project, to the artists for their creative energy, and to all those who choose to experience these days of art and culture with us."

Teodoro Lonfernini (Minister of Education and Culture): "Smiaf is one of the most important cultural events of the summer, a well-established event. Thanks to a rich program of performing arts, music, workshops, and much more, the Festival contributes to the enhancement of the historic center and the involvement of citizens, especially the younger generations. Over the years, Smiaf has successfully consolidated its role as a space for experimentation and strong innovation. A great laboratory of ideas where people express themselves to the world through art and creativity."

Annachiara Sica (Head of the Tourism Board): "For 18 years, SMIAF has been one of the liveliest and most significant cultural expressions on our summer calendar. A festival that speaks a contemporary and creative language, yet is also capable of engaging with the local area, engaging an increasingly broad and curious audience. SMIAF has evolved, managing to innovate and surprise visitors year after year; it is an event that not only enriches the Republic's cultural and tourist offerings, but also contributes to building a dynamic and open image of San Marino as a destination on the international scene. Thanks go to the organizers, volunteers, and all those who, with passion and vision, make the festival possible every year."

The 2025 festival theme: "Beyond Art: Spaces for Participation and Collaborative Culture"

For its 18th edition, the SMIAF will invite the public to reflect and actively participate in what will be called "a large collective laboratory." The theme of this year's festival is participation, understood as personal expression, social responsibility, and shared action. At 18, one becomes a citizen, enters adult life, and begins to consciously contribute to building the world. The SMIAF wants to celebrate this transition by transforming every space of the Festival into an open and dynamic environment, where installations, performances, and works of art will not only be admired by visitors, but also experienced and transformed through their own actions.

The Partnership with Marlù

This edition, which focuses on participation, renews and further strengthens the partnership with Marlù. One of the Festival's primary goals remains to create an increasingly broad and participatory network, bringing together emerging artists and diverse talents, fostering the exchange of ideas, experiences, and skills to mutually support the growth and dissemination of the performing arts. Marlù, the event's main partner since 2022, will support the San Marino International Arts Festival 2025 by renewing its "Keep Dreaming" scholarships, designed to reward local performing arts organizations that stand out for their ability to engage the community, artistic innovation, and collaborative spirit. The financial contribution will be used to fund projects capable of generating a positive impact and active participation, helping artists and collectives realize or develop dreams and visions that contribute to strengthening the cultural and social fabric of the Republic of San Marino.

As Marta Fabbri, Co-Founder and Marketing & Communications Director of Marlù, states: "Participating means shaping—together—visions that inspire, unite, and leave a mark. And this is precisely the spirit that binds us to SMIAF: a festival that every year transforms San Marino into a vibrant laboratory of creativity and opens up real spaces for dialogue and sharing. With our Keep Dreaming scholarships, we want to support those who, through art, contribute to building a more conscious community, because we at Marlù strongly believe that dreams, when they become collective experiences, can generate a concrete and better future."

Program and Guests

Among the most anticipated artists of the 18th edition, Newen Afrobeat, the duo Fossick Project, and Victor Murmuyo deserve a special mention.

Performing on Sunday, August 3rd at Campo Bruno Reffi, Newen Afrobeat represent one of the most exciting musical acts on the international scene. Hailing from Chile, this 12-piece band combines traditional Afrobeat rhythms, Latin music, and modern funk, creating a unique sonic experience. They recently captivated audiences at one of the world's most iconic music events: Glastonbury Festival.

On Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd, the SMIAF will host a preview, in the evocative setting of Piazza della Libertà, of "Monkeybiz," the new show by Fossick Project, a creative duo formed by Cecilia Valagussa and Marta Del Grandi. On stage, hand-drawn drawings, shadows, overhead projections, and live music blend into a wordless tale. Cecilia Valagussa is an Italian illustrator and cartoonist, and an author for the Hoppipolla publishing house. Marta Del Grandi is a Milanese singer-songwriter. A jazz musician, her solo debut, "Until We Fossilize," was released in 2021 on the British label Fire Records.

Mime, clowning, physical theater, and a healthy dose of irreverence: this is the unmistakable mix that Christian Casanova, aka Murmuyo, has been bringing to the stage for over thirty years, captivating audiences around the world. An internationally renowned Chilean artist, Murmuyo stands out for his ability to transform any space into a living stage, where the boundary between artist and spectator dissolves in a game of continuous improvisation, cutting irony, and profound humanity. With an inimitable style, Murmuyo invites audiences to engage, breaking down barriers and rules, to play again, to laugh at themselves and others, ultimately rediscovering a simple and universal truth: the beauty of feeling part of a community sharing the same moment, the same amazement, the same clapping of hands.

Campo Bruno Reffi

Campo Bruno Reffi will be, as always, the heart of the Festival and the venue for its evening concerts. Performing on stage will be:

- Friday 1 August : Roforofo Jazz, a Parisian group born from the experience of Martin Smith (Frères Smith), ready to captivate the audience with a mix of sounds reminiscent of Fela Kuti and Gil Scott-Heron, between jazz improvisation and old-school rap. Joining them are Panjea, a collective from Romagna capable of transforming reggae into a moment of sharing and reflection, and Hang The DJ, an unpredictable selection of funk grooves and punchy beats.

- Saturday 2 August: Ponzio Pilates, with their unmistakable electro-samba. Also on stage will be Sandri, the singer-songwriter project of Cesena-born musician Michele Alessandri. Closing out the night will be a DJ set by Volumetrica Vision, an explosion of grooves between funk, disco, and boogie, designed to ignite the dance floor and draw everyone into a collective dance ritual.

- Sunday 3 August: In addition to Newen Afrobeat, headliners and one of the festival's highlights, the Tai Paz project and his trio will take to the stage. With an original mix of Afro, Afro-Brazilian, jazz, and Latin rhythms, they offer a sound experience rich in harmonies and influences. The evening will close out with DJ-Sonzinho, a key figure on the local scene, who will entertain the audience with a colorful and engaging DJ set, ranging from samba, funk, salsa, disco, and electronic cumbia.

All concerts will begin at 9:00 PM, and a dedicated area will feature a selection of local street food to satisfy the culinary tastes of both adults and children.

Cava dei Balestrieri and Via Eugippo

From the heart of Germany, Lisa Rinne and Andreas Bartl of Circus Unartiq bring to Cava dei Balestrieri, with two performances on Fridays and Saturdays, an engaging and poetic show that plays with the boundaries between reality and fiction. "Curtain Call" is an acrobatic duet that defies gravity and breaks the fourth wall, blending breathtaking acrobatics, trapeze dancing, Chinese pole dancing, and live music in an electric and surprising atmosphere. An immersive and unforgettable experience.

Just above, Via Eugippo will host the SMIAF Markets for the second consecutive year: 14 artisanal businesses and two street food vendors, to brighten up the stay of all our guests. This space will be open from the morning of Friday, August 2nd.

San Marino Locals and Other Street Artists

At the Festival SMIAF has always been a special advocate for local talent, offering them space and visibility within the program. This includes the special live episode of YOUTH CAST, titled "What Culture Is It?", which will bring together the voices of some of San Marino's leading cultural institutions around a table on Friday, August 1st at the Giardino dei Liburni, including Il Macello, Buone Nove, and Rapublic, in a creative and public dialogue.

The festival will also host a musical reading by brothers Francesco and Michele Ghiotti and the presentation of "The Book of Uncertainty," the debut work of young San Marino writer Alessia Paolini, a testament to the local artistic dynamism.

Completing the program are numerous street artists who will enliven the squares and alleyways of the historic center with spontaneous performances, including music, dance, and entertainment. In particular: Anna Krazy, Di Filippo Marionette, Big Sammers, Micro-officina Clandestina, Fondazione Uniti per Crescere Insieme, Banda 21 Rulli, Il Circolino Teatro di Strada, Elena Argenti.

Collaborations with other local entities

The 2025 program reflects a network of collaborations that extends well beyond the festival's boundaries. Among these, the one with Artisti in Casa di Montegiardino stands out, thanks to which Antonio Ramberti's theatrical concert, "The Train at the Bottom of the Sea," will be held on Sunday at 5:45 PM. Another significant example is the collaboration with Davide Pagliardini, creator of the SMIAF corporate image for this edition, and his urban art project, Buone Nove, whose "Group Exhibition" will be held for the entire duration of the festival in the Galleria della Cassa di Risparmio.

Finally, on Saturday and Sunday, the San Marino Green Festival, and in particular Federica Mecozzi and Gabriele Geminiani, will enrich the event with their traveling workshop, "Abbecedario dell'inutile," featuring micro-stories and narratives created using recycled objects. These synergies strengthen the bond between SMIAF and the cultural fabric of the area, helping make the festival a participatory, inclusive platform deeply rooted in the community.

Wellness Area

Not just art, but also activities related to wellness and care for body and mind. In the evocative locations of Via Donna Felicissima, the Aula Magna of the High Schools and the Orti Borghesi gardens, you can take part in Hatha Yoga and AcroYoga classes. You can also enjoy shiatsu, facial, reflexology, numerology, or holistic massage treatments.

Partners

This year's event is supported by many organizations, including: Marlù Gioielli, the event's main sponsor, Ecologia Sammarinese SRL, Energreen SRL, Carisp – Cassa di Risparmio della Repubblica di San Marino, Giochi del Titano SPA, SUMS - Società Unione Mutuo Soccorso, Birra Amarcord, SIT Group, La Chiara Srl, Gattei Impianti, InFisio Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Scootermania Di Mina Massimo, the Simoncini-Galluzzi Foundation, Koppe Vince Con Te, and Hotel Quercia Antica.

Media partners and technical sponsors are Radio Gamma, San Marino RTV, and Seriset.

Green Festival Services

We recommend participants use the large car parks in San Marino, and also remember the camper and free camping area located a 3-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the Festival, which is equipped with restrooms and showers. You'll find this area set up at the Ex Tiro a Volo di Murata, located at Via del Serrone 65.

The SMIAF Festival is as attentive as possible to environmental issues, and to reduce its impact, it has implemented three special initiatives:

✅ Personalized, reusable hard plastic cups. Disposable plastic has been completely eliminated from our bar areas for four years now;

✅ At the main Festival location, Campo Bruno Reffi, you'll find water stations for automatically refilling water bottles and cups, and the main drinking fountains in the historic center will also be signposted.

✅ The artists' and volunteers' badges and the installation materials are made from recycled paper, wood, furniture, and old prints. All that remains is to warmly invite you to bring this edition to life with us.

We look forward to seeing you in the Old Town!