HERS Festival Palermo

On March 25th, the HERS Italian Storytelling Festival took place at Cre.Zi Plus in Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa in Palermo, bringing together more than 80 participants for an emotional evening dedicated to storytelling, cultural expression, and women’s empowerment.

The event created a shared space of listening, creativity, and connection, with young women from the communities of Sogno di Aylan and Casa delle Ginestre actively participating in the experience.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the theatre workshop presentation led by Alessandra Falanga. During a collective exercise, participants wrote a word in their mother tongue connected to their identity and symbolically offered it to the audience, transforming language into a gesture of connection and inclusion.

Alongside the performances, visitors explored an exhibition of artworks and an interactive installation by artist Giulio Adelfio from La Casa degli Artisti, where sculpture and sound came together through creative interaction.

The stories shared throughout the evening reflected a rich multicultural landscape, with voices and experiences connected to countries including Argentina, Nigeria, Guinea, Tunisia, Portugal, and the United States. Through participatory activities, discussions, and shared traditions, the festival highlighted the power of creative storytelling in strengthening community, preserving cultural heritage, and amplifying women’s voices.

Through smiles, dialogue, and meaningful exchanges, the HERS Festival reminded everyone of the importance of creating spaces where stories can be heard, shared, and celebrated.