Greetings to all who will attend this unique and beloved festival in July 2026. In a world where connection and empathy become harder to hold on to, it is always important to provide ways for children and their adults to engage in experiences that open minds and hearts. ASSITEJ supports and unifies artists all over the world who uphold the rights of the child to experience their culture, to experience art, to play, to have self-expression and the have their voices heard. We uphold and promote the place of theatre and the performing arts as key to every child and young person’s understanding of the world and their place in it.
From the earliest years to when we are old, theatre has the power to condense and distil the everyday and to transform it into moments of magic. More than any other art form it requires specialisation in communication between ideas and audience. It depends on relationships between humans – on stage between performers, between audiences and performers, between members of audiences – a constant flow of connection.
The Ricca Ricca Festa has an important role by bringing children and their families to enjoy a diversity of perspectives and ideas and magical moments from around the world, during one shining week. It plays a vital part in the global landscape and is a gateway for many to the Asian region. It is a festival that should be supported, upheld as a beacon in these dark times. Our children deserve the best and the people in this festival understand this deeply and demonstrate their passion for the power of theatre to make a difference in children’s lives.
I wish everyone a beautiful experience at this extraordinary event.
Warmly,
Sue Giles AM
President ASSITEJ International
Heartfelt congratulations on the opening of Ricca Ricca Festa 2026.
In times of global economic hardship and social uncertainty, the first things to be marginalized are often children and the arts.
Yet children and the arts are among the most essential values that must never be abandoned if we are to safeguard humanity’s future.
We sometimes forget how precious they are, but helping children learn to understand others through the arts, appreciate the dignity of life, and develop respect for different cultures and ways of being has become even more important in the world today.
In particular, I believe that performing arts for children and young people are much more than a source of enjoyment. They are a child’s first language for encountering both themselves and the world, and a precious pathway through which they experience community.
Now is the time for artists around the world to join hands so that children can imagine, question, empathize, and grow into members of a global community grounded in love and care through the arts.
I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the many Japanese artists and staff members who, year after year, prepare this festival with sincere dedication for children, young people, and their families.
May Ricca Ricca Festa, which has long been an important festival for performing arts for children and young people in Asia, continue in 2026 to give countless children unforgettable dreams and lasting memories.
From Korea, a friend and neighbour nation, I send my warmest solidarity, encouragement, and best wishes. In particular, I would like to offer my support and encouragement to Artistic Director Mr. Shimoyama.
Jeeyoung Bang
President of ASSITEJ Korea
The annual Ricca Ricca Festa is approaching. For those involved in theatre for young audiences in Japan, this festival has long been a rare opportunity to learn about international developments in the field and to reflect on its future in Japan. This year, however, the circumstances are quite different.
During the Covid pandemic, theatre performances in schools were suspended for several months. Even after performances resumed, audiences were limited and performance times restricted. Several theatre companies have gone bankrupt this year alone. The decline in the youth population, the weakening of Japan’s audience membership organizations, and reductions in public subsidies have further deepened this difficult situation.
Theatre for young audiences in Japan is now facing an unprecedented crisis.
It is not unrelated to these circumstances that this year’s Ricca Ricca Festa is being held on a smaller scale than usual. Yet precisely because of this, it is essential that the festival become a meaningful and fruitful gathering.
Once again, we will have a valuable opportunity to learn how colleagues around the world — facing similar challenges — continue their work through creativity, wisdom, and determination.
We sincerely ask for your support in making these seven days enriching and inspiring for all.
Asaya Fujita
Honorary Member of ASSITEJ International
ATER Fondazione is proud to support two excellences from the cultural ecosystem of Emilia-Romagna. Empowering new generations is a strategic mission for us: may this collaboration strengthen the cultural bond between Italy and Japan and inspire future collaborations.
Antonio Volpe
Director of ATER Fondazione
Ph. Pietro Bertora | Santarcangelo Festival
The Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka is honored to support the participation to Ricca Ricca Festa of two outstanding Italian companies, La Baracca – Testoni Ragazzi and Compagnia Rodisio. Their presence is a meaningful addition to a vibrant program focused on the dialogue between cultures and targeting the younger generations, and I wish to the festival the best success.
Andrea Raos
Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka
