The third edition of Struscio di Streghe will be held in the historic center of Benevento on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July 2025. The event is promoted by the Fondazione Terre Magiche Sannite, was born from an idea by Carmen Castiello who is in charge of the artistic direction, and is the result of the study and collaboration of the Compagnia Balletto di Benevento with the participating artistic and cultural entities. This year Struscio di Streghe presents itself with an extraordinary novelty.
On Saturday 5 July, starting at 9 pm, numerous artistic performances based on a choreographic project created by Carmen Castiello and directed by Linda Ocone, will represent the various aspects of women’s life conditions and particular moments in the history and legend of the Witches and the Janare.
The scenes will be repeated several times during the evening to allow the public to participate in all the performances. The words Respect and Redemption will characterize the two days. Many significant scenes will immerse the audience in a dimension of magic and mystery.
Program
There will not be a competition between schools and dance companies as in the two previous editions, but synergies between dance schools and artistic groups.
Saturday 5 July, starting at 9 pm, on a choreographic project by Carmen Castiello and directed by Linda Ocone, numerous artistic performances will represent the various aspects of the daily life conditions of women in which the mystery of the Janara has been grafted and crystallized over time and particular moments in the history and legend of the Witches and the Janare.
The scenes will be repeated several times during the evening to allow the public to participate in all the performances. The words Respect and Redemption will characterize the two days. Many and significant scenes that will immerse the public in a dimension of magic and mystery.
Quadro della Magia Bianca
in Piazza Federico Torre with the accordion of Lorenzo Cirocco, the interpretations of Rosaria Preziosi and Sabrina Saati will be represented:
• the “Raccolta del Grano”, choreography by Roberto Prete
• the “Danza della Farina”, choreography by Odette Marucci and Sara Scuderi
• “Danza della Panificazione”, choreography by Sara Scuderi; with the extraordinary participation of Coldiretti di Benevento with Angelica De Ieso and Michele Magno.
Quadro delle Origini
In Piazza Papiniano at the Egyptian obelisk, hosted by Giusy De Rienzo, the following will be performed:
• the “Dance of the Cult of Isis”, choreography by Ornella Mirra
• the “Dance of Fire”, choreography by Rachele Iavarone, (at the end of the performances you can visit the “Janua” witch museum in Palazzo Paolo V)
• in the Gallery of Palazzo Bosco the “Dance of the Clogs and the Zoccolara”, with texts and acting by Antonella La Frazia, dance by Eva Iamunno and percussion by Carlo Corso.
Quadro del Mistero
in Piazza Roma, hosted by Laura Febbraro, the following will be performed:
• the “Dance of the Mystery”, choreography by Giovanni Mauriello with the artistic direction of Michele Leone
• the “Dance of the Whisper”, choreography by Carmen Pepe
• the “Dance of the Rubbing of Hands”, choreography by Lia Turchiarolo.
The Saturday evening will end in Piazza Roma with the “Dance of the Earth and the Sky”, choreographed by Hassan Awad Eltabie.
This final moment will see all the artists converge in the square for a unique and extraordinary choral movement.
Sunday 6 July
In Piazza Roma at 6:30 pm the “Pizzica Workshop “Sentire” will take place, curated by Massimiliano De Marco and Veronica Calati with the extraordinary participation of the musical group “Assurd”;
The appointment will be a shared journey to explore the various possibilities that arise from the encounter and synergy between music and dance.
For participants in the “Sentire” course, reservations are required at the number 3490036936. While for the public, entry is free.
At 9 pm, starting from the Rocca dei Rettori, the Parade of the Women of Light will take place and will arrive in Piazza Roma. The procession will be accompanied by the music of the “Assurd” who will hold a concert to conclude the event. The city becomes an open-air theater. A journey into the female universe through eras, places, and arts, where myth and memory intertwine in a night-time journey in stages, to restore women to their role.
Struscio di Streghe, through dance, aims to shed new light on the woman of mystery dressed in a timeless charm, wrapped in an aura of magic. It aims to restore value and cultural depth to the figure of the Janara, freeing her from the harmful image of an evil and nefarious woman and instead enhancing her for her skills, thought and avant-garde character.