Maurizia Settembri
Maurizia Settembri is a prominent figure in Italy's cultural landscape, widely recognized as the co-founder and artistic director of Fabbrica Europa, one of the country’s leading contemporary arts festivals. Since its inception in 1994, she has played a pivotal role in bridging the worlds of performing arts, music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Through her work, Fabbrica Europa has become an international beacon for artistic experimentation and intercultural dialogue.
As the co-founder of Fabbrica Europa, Maurizia envisioned a project that would unite diverse artistic disciplines and foster global cultural exchange. As artistic director, she curated the festival’s program, spotlighting both emerging and established artists from around the world and showcasing groundbreaking, innovative projects.
Under her leadership, Fabbrica Europa has become a major platform for contemporary arts, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation. Maurizia Settembri has also been instrumental in promoting spaces for artistic research, notably the PARC (Performing Arts Research Centre), affiliated with Fabbrica Europa. Her commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and engaging local communities through the arts remains at the heart of her work.
Fabbrica Europa
Founded in 1994 with the ambition of creating a European cultural home in Florence, Fabbrica Europa has, over thirty years, become a major hub for contemporary artistic languages. By transforming the Stazione Leopolda—a former industrial site—into a vibrant cultural space, it has pioneered international artistic exchange, building bridges between Europe and Asia, Africa, the Americas, and beyond through dance, music, theatre, interdisciplinary formats, and visual arts.
Through 30 festival editions, production and training projects, and strong international collaborations, Fabbrica Europa has positioned Florence as a meeting point for diverse cultures and innovative artistic practices.
The European Union has consistently supported its initiatives, from early Kaleidoscope and Culture 2000 programmes to Culture 2007–2013, recognizing its European impact. Over the years, Fabbrica Europa has led or partnered in numerous EU-funded projects exploring heritage, gesture, mobility, and cross-cultural exchange.
In 2003, the Fabbrica Europa Foundation for Contemporary Arts was created, reinforcing its mission to connect creativity and production, support artists, and build collaborative cultural policies. Recognized as a regionally relevant cultural body and a Third Sector Entity (ETS) since 2022, Fabbrica Europa continues to develop international cooperation, artistic innovation, and cultural exchange at the European level.
