24.07.2026
“Cotone” brings culture where you least expect it
24/07/2026
On Saturday, 25 July, Cotone, an immersive, site-specific theatre series by SpkTeatro, will premiere across four symbolic locations that embody the city's industrial heritage: Lake Burida, the historic headquarters of SOMSI – Historic Mutual Aid Workers' Society, Seminary Park, and the former Torre Cotton Mill. Cotone is one of 41 projects supported by the Municipality of Pordenone as part of the city's journey toward becoming Italian Capital of Culture 2027. Together, these initiatives reflect the values at the heart of the city's bid, demonstrating how culture, by finding new forms and inhabiting unexpected places, can reach everyone.
What is Cotone?
With Cotone, theatre steps beyond the stage, walks through the city, and becomes part of everyday neighbourhood life. Rather than presenting performances to watch, it offers an experience to be lived: a relaxed, convivial walk led by young professional actors, where contemporary writing weaves together industrial memory, playfulness, and active audience participation.
Leading the audience—transformed for the occasion into a group of “time travellers”—is the enigmatic Dr. Zeta (Giulia Cosolo), an archaeo-chronologist of water memory, who opens the gates to a fluid geography where reality and possibility merge. The original texts are written by Lisa Moras in collaboration with Bonobo (Mathias Eccher and Mattia Zavarise), drawing inspiration from archival sources.
Each episode concludes with a shared social moment—a light aperitivo or afternoon snack—because gathering together is an essential part of the story itself.
The Programme
The 2026 edition unfolds over four independent episodes, each connected to a different location and chapter of Pordenone’s industrial history.
- Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July – Lake Burida (Porcia): The Great Void
- Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August – Historic SOMSI Headquarters, Corso Vittorio Emanuele: The Time of Play. This episode carries particular significance as it coincides with the 160th anniversary of the Historic Mutual Aid and Education Workers’ Society, founded in 1866, which opens its historic headquarters to host the performance.
- Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August – Seminary Park: Remember Forever
- Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 September – Former Torre Cotton Mill: Succumbing to Noise. This year’s finale is presented in a new format: a large-scale “complete edition” bringing together and reassembling the most powerful moments from all four episodes. It explores the noise of labour and silence as an act of resistance in a performance created specifically to conclude the journey.
Practical Information
Admission is free, although booking is recommended.
Reservations can be made by emailing biglietteria@spkteatro.com or via WhatsApp at +39 371 158 7456.
