The Spanish scene at REF2025
It is with great pleasure that I address you as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Italy on the occasion of the 40th edition of the Romaeuropa Festival, a landmark event in the European cultural landscape.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the invitation, which also offers us the opportunity to recall the coincidence with the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, as mentioned by His Majesty the King of Spain during the State visit in December 2024. In this regard, I wish to emphasize how our friendship and collaboration are rooted in a deep history, nurtured by intense cultural and artistic exchanges.
In this context, the Romaeuropa Festival serves as a privileged space for dialogue and experimentation, where tradition and innovation come together, reaffirming the central role of culture in strengthening the bond between Italy and Spain.
This year, the Spanish presence is particularly significant: from the Ballet Nacional de España to contemporary dance companies such as KOR’SIA, from choreographers like Marcos Morau to leading figures in avant-garde flamenco such as Israel Galván, as well as innovative musical ensembles like TARTA RELENA and performances designed for young audiences, such as those by La Petita Malumaluga. These examples reflect the diversity, plurality, and vitality of Spanish art, engaging with the Italian public and fostering new collaborations.
I would therefore like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Fondazione Romaeuropa for welcoming Spanish artists and for contributing to the creation of such a valuable platform for exchange. I sincerely hope that this synergy will continue to grow, further strengthening the friendship between our countries and allowing culture to build lasting bridges capable of bringing people and perspectives together.
Miguel Fernández-Palacios M.
Ambasciatore del Regno di Spagna
Flanders at REF 2023/2025
I am delighted to enter the third year of our partnership with the RomaEuropa Festival, as it celebrates its 40th edition. For Flanders, the Dutch speaking region of Belgium, the core values of the festival resonate strongly with our own. Open to the world, innovative and inclusive, the festival year after year captivates audiences of all ages.
Once again, the festival will be showcasing several productions from Flanders in their Italian premiere. Performances that transcend disciplines, just as the festival itself does. From theatre to dance to classical instruments and live electronics. While some artists are returning to RomaEuropa, others will make their debut on this prestigious stage.
Among these, we are particularly proud of presenting ‘Delirium’ by Miet Warlop, an ode to imagination and a wave of wonder and pleasure. Miet Warlop, along with curator Caroline Dumalin, has also been selected by Flanders to represent Belgium at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
I warmly invite you to explore this year’s festival programme and look forward to seeing you there.
Dries Willems
Rappresentante Generale del Governo delle Fiandre in Italia
Lithuanian Art and Culture at REF2025
As we celebrate the 40th edition of the Romaeuropa Festival, we are thrilled to inaugurate a special season dedicated to Lithuania—an extraordinary opportunity to introduce Italian audiences to the richness and innovation of the Lithuanian artistic scene.
We take great pride in this collaboration, which brings to the festival stage highly talented artists capable of blending tradition and experimentation into a unique offering. This year’s program features Jonas Mekas, Requiem at MAXXI, a tribute to one of the most emblematic figures of avant-garde cinema; the live concert by Merope at Mattatoio, merging folk and experimental sounds; and Operamania, a production that intertwines the talents of Gaile Griciut?, Viktorija Damerell, and Sports Group in a striking performance. Rounding out the program is Dovydas Strimatis’s choreography Hairy, which presents a bold vision of contemporary dance.
Taking part in the 40th edition of Romaeuropa means celebrating four decades of art, innovation, and cultural exchange. It is an honor for Lithuania to be part of such a significant anniversary, contributing its artistic vision to a festival that continues to inspire and connect audiences from around the world. We invite you to join us in discovering this extraordinary season, marked by creativity and cultural dialogue.
Istituto Lituano di Cultura
