In Cortona, art becomes inclusion: "Cortona On The Moon" returns

From September 1 to 5, 2026, Cortona hosts the second edition of "Cortona On The Moon," a project born from the collaboration of numerous local players and led by the Cautha association. Five days of multidisciplinary workshops, free to attend by reservation, designed to foster the social inclusion of young people on the autism spectrum through art, relationship-building, and shared spaces. The closing event takes place Saturday, September 5, starting at 7:00 PM, in the striking setting of the Girifalco Fortress.

At a glance:

• Dates: September 1–5, 2026
• Closing event: Saturday, September 5, 7:00 PM, Girifalco Fortress
• Workshops: 7 multidisciplinary paths
• Access: free, by reservation
• Promoters: Cautha Association, with CESVOT, Asl Toscana sud est, the Municipality of Cortona, the Municipalities of Valdichiana Aretina, L'Arca, the Tuscany Region, Rotary Club Cortona Valdichiana
• Contributions: Presidency of the Council of Ministers

A project for the community

Now in its second edition, "Cortona On The Moon" confirms the Girifalco Fortress as a reference point for culture and inclusion in Cortona. The project brings together young people, families, and people with disabilities through seven workshops led by professionals from different fields, from land art to theatre, from craftsmanship to self-defense, in a journey designed to build bonds and mutual understanding as much as artworks and performances.

Seven workshops spanning art, nature and awareness

The program kicks off on September 1 with the Bookcrossing workshop led by OZ – Officine Zero (4:00–8:00 PM), dedicated to carpentry and upcycling to collectively build a bookshelf for public space, alongside the first session of Ilaria Perino's Illustration workshop (10:00 AM–1:00 PM), aimed at children aged 6 and up and families.

On September 2 and 3, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 to 6:00 PM, it's the turn of Marilena Calbini's Land Art workshop, an experiential path to collectively design and create an installation using only plant materials; the Illustration workshop also continues on September 2.

On September 3, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, the Rotary Club Cortona Valdichiana organizes the self-defense workshop "Understanding to Save Yourself" ("Capire per salvarsi"), led by Mirko Bonci, open to men and women of all ages, no experience required.

September 4 is dedicated to the Self-Awareness workshop (4:00–6:00 PM) and the third Illustration session, which from 6:00 PM also features "Scribbles" ("Scarabocchi"), a participatory performance open to the public during a music concert.

The weekend closes on September 5 with Lavinia Loreni's Fire and Arrows workshop (9:00–11:00 AM for fire, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM for arrows), covering fire-starting techniques from prehistory to today and instinctive archery, and with "Training for Ghosts" ("Allenamento per spettri," 2:00–7:00 PM), the performing arts workshop by Zoe Francia Lamattina and Ida Malfatti. The day, and the festival, close with the final event at the Girifalco Fortress starting at 7:00 PM.

Voices from the project

"When the bar of hatred rises [...] a great responsibility remains ours: to do our part, however small or large, to redraw the boundaries of what we mean by 'humanity,'" says Iacopo Mancini, president of Cautha, stressing that the festival aims to give back an image of community that builds not only works, but bonds and mutual understanding.

Along the same lines, Roberto Francini, district director for Valdichiana Aretina at Asl Toscana sud est, recalls the goal of fostering the social inclusion of young people on the autism spectrum and their families, while Lucia Lupetti, the Municipality of Cortona's councillor for Social Policies, highlights the value of the network built among all participants.

The project has also received support from Nicola Tiezzi (president of On The Move), Benedetta Romiti (city councillor for Youth Policies), and Linda Petrucci, president of Rotary Club Cortona Valdichiana, who promoted the self-defense workshop "Understanding to Save Yourself" as a practical tool for awareness and personal safety.

Where to stay

For those coming from out of town to take part in the workshops or the closing event at the Fortress, Villa Santa Margherita is an ideal base: just steps from Cortona's historic center, it offers a peaceful stay surrounded by greenery, conveniently close to both the Girifalco Fortress and the festival's other venues.