La International Review of Educational & Social Theatre “Il Gerione” is one of the most important and longest-running events dedicated to theatre as a pedagogical and cultural tool.
Born in 2005 in Campagna (SA), the festival takes place every year in May and involves schools, theatre companies, associations, social groups and artists from all over Italy and abroad.
The name “Geryon” refers to the three-headed mythological figure, symbolising the multiple dimensions of the human being - body, mind and spirit - and represents the dialogue between art, education and society.
The festival is the brainchild of the’The Gerion Association, under the patronage of Municipality of Campagna, of the Ministry of Education and Merit (USR Campania) and numerous cultural and social organisations.
Over the years, the exhibition has become a national reference point for those working in the social theatre, offering spaces for meeting, training and reflection on issues of inclusion, diversity, active citizenship and community building.
During the festival days, the city is transformed into a diffuse stagetheatres, squares, courtyards and schools host performances, workshops, exhibitions and experiential laboratories.
Each edition deals with a different theme - from respect for the environment to peace, from memory to freedom - always with an accessible, creative and participatory language.
The Gerione was created with the intention of enhancing the educational theatre as a formative and transformative experience.
For the organisers, the stage is a space where children and adults can learn about each other, communicate and construct meaning through performance.
Every year, dozens of schools of all levels participate with their original performances, the result of educational courses led by teachers, educators and filmmakers.
The works address current social issues - bullying, diversity, inclusion, human rights, peace - giving a voice to those who often have none.
The festival days are also an opportunity for pedagogical comparisontraining workshops, meetings with experts and moments of sharing with families complete a project that makes theatre a gymnasium of active citizenship.
With more than 20 years of history, Il Gerione has been able to transcend local borders, welcoming companies from Spain, Poland, France, Albania, Romania and from various non-European countries.
The review is recognised by the Ministry of Education and Merit as a model of good practice in school and social theatre.
In addition to the performances, the programme includes:
The Gerion experience contributed to the cultural regeneration of the city of Campagna, transforming historical places such as the’St. Francis Auditorium and the Cloister of St Bartholomew in spaces of participation and dialogue.
The atmosphere one breathes is that of a theatre experienced as universal language, where creativity becomes an instrument of peace and the stage is open to all differences.
