Verona is ready to host the 22nd edition of Tocatì, which means “it’s your turn.” The event, known as the International Festival of Street Games, is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. From September 13 to 15, the festival will take over the city, bringing classic games, sports, and activities to Verona’s streets and squares. This year’s edition, titled “L’Italia che Gioca” (“Italy at Play”), will feature new and interesting highlights that showcase the cultural richness of Italian traditions.
An all-Italian edition
Tocatì 2024 will welcome players from all areas of Italy, a first in the festival’s history. Furthermore, the event relocates to the Veronetta neighborhood, providing a picturesque backdrop for the different traditional activities and sports, and will bring together gaming fans and communities throughout Italy to celebrate Tocatì’s recent UNESCO recognition for preserving and promoting play as an intangible cultural heritage.
Then, this year’s edition will focus on agricultural and culinary traditions. Italy’s rich gastronomic history naturally includes various games related to the land and rural life, and traditional wooden games that promote social contact.
Reflections on play and art exhibitions
The festival will feature the popular Reflections of Tocatì series, with conferences and discussions where scholars, pedagogists, psychologists, writers, and entertainment figures will explore the play’s educational, social, and cultural value. Another highlight is the Arte in Gioco project, a city-wide exhibition that engages Verona’s Civic Museums and other cultural institutions. The play theme will be explored as a space for dialogue and learning and as a source of imagination and enjoyment.
Performances and tastings
Adding to the festival’s rich program will be theatrical performances, puppet shows, and film screenings, all centered around the theme of play and its communicative power. For those who enjoy local flavors, the popular Osteria del Gioco at Porta Vescovo will return, offering wine tastings and traditional dishes from local farms in the Verona area.
This year, the festival also introduces a new venue: the Cucina di San Nazaro Alto, nestled in greenery with a stunning view of Verona, where visitors can enjoy a unique culinary experience in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
