Mercantia – International Festival of Street Theatre

Mercantia is an eagerly awaited event which takes place every year, in July, in the beautiful medieval setting of Certaldo, in the heart of the Chiantishire.
This is a historic international festival of street theatre, of new and classic theatre, constantly increasing and especially vital.
Certaldo, during the days of Mercantia, is the magic of street art, international companies, live art, working live crafts, museums, exhibitions and installations of contemporary art.

Mercantia aims to enliven the old town of Certaldo with all the poetry and charm that exudes from the theater and its many representations.
Lights, sounds, colors and scents populate hidden corners and forgotten places, they modify for a few days Certaldo everyday life and provide participants emotions that touch the deeply soul.

Every year, Mercantia proposes a new program, but the same as the previous one, which refers to the tradition and the innovation, with its roots anchored to the origins of the theatre, but open to experiment, new ways of expression of this provocative ancient art.
Unmissable appointment: the new shows by I Giardini Segreti, original pieces invented for Mercantia.
Then, the circus-theatre, puppetry, the marchin’ band, the Tuscan comedy and cheerfulness and friendliness of these beautiful moments, escaped from our fast rhythms.
Living Mercantia is a good excuse for having a special stay in Certaldo, perhaps in a magical place, rich in history as the Hotel Certaldo, an old mill renovated in charming farmhouse.

by Eric Perrone