Sassari, Spazio S’Arza

📅 8 October 2026

• 9.00 am – Sassari, Spazio S’Arza
  Il Crogiuolo presents Matite Rosse: women’s suffrage.
• 5.30 pm – Sassari, Spazio S’Arza
  Teatro S’Arza and the Slovoto Theatre of North Macedonia present Tales of Sardegna and the Balkans.
• Followed by – Sassari, Spazio S’Arza
  Teatro Zeta from L’Aquila presents Papà Ombra.

Synopsis of the play *Matite Rosse*: Women’s Suffrage

‘Matite Rosse’ recounts 2 June 1946

The play takes its cue from a simple yet still relevant question: what remains today of that 2 June 1946, when millions of Italian women entered a polling booth for the first time? ‘Matite Rosse’ attempts to construct an answer through the language of theatre. The narrative spans the war, the Resistance and the emergence of women’s citizenship in Italy, showing how the right to vote was not a concession, but an achievement forged through a long collective journey. On stage, female factory workers, partisans and post-war citizens take the floor, clutching their ballot papers as a symbol of freedom and democratic participation.

The dialogue between past and present

One of the central elements of the production is the interplay between generations. The voices from 1946 intertwine with those of young women from 2026, creating a bridge between historical memory and the present day. The director chooses to begin with modern disillusionment – that growing detachment from political participation which characterises a section of contemporary society. From here, the narrative travels back in time, reconstructing the atmosphere of the war and the women’s struggles that led to the right to vote. ‘Matite Rosse’ is therefore not merely a historical reconstruction. It becomes a reflection on the present, on the rights we have gained and on the challenges still facing women today. ‘Matite Rosse’ forms part of the tradition of contemporary civic theatre, which uses the stage as a space for collective reflection. The story of the Italian suffragettes and the ‘Madri Costituenti’ (Constituent Mothers) thus intertwines with the questions of the present. The production aims above all to engage younger audiences, bringing issues such as citizenship, participation and equality back to the fore. Written and directed by: Rita Atzeri
Starring: Monica Zuncheddu, Valentina Sulas, Marianna Pinna and Greta Marras
Production: Il Crogiuolo Isola dei Teatri 2026 is a contemporary performing arts festival taking place at Sassari from 3 to 19 October. The festival brings together performances, Italian and international productions, cultural programmes and activities dedicated to the local area, fostering a dialogue between the stage, the city and the community. → Go to the full event