Lugano in summer: the summer season of the Family

How many family events will be with us during the summer?
Some 50, of all kinds: from musical fairy tales and children's film screenings to workshops in art, cooking, Tibetan yoga, meditation, shiatsu and sensory exploration. Lots of theater performances, a category that in itself encompasses a wide variety: actor's, clown, interactive, storytelling, traveling.

What will be the locations of this summer's Family events?
The summer Family season will take place in Ciani Park, important to appreciate the wonderful setting and the open, fresh air near the lake. Except for the three weeks of LongLake (07/13-31/07), we will be present at Boschetto - Parco Ciani from mid-June to the end of August on Wednesdays with movies, and Fridays and Sundays with theater. During the three weeks of LongLake, however, we will be at Punta Foce with performances-or we will move to the park with traveling shows, while the workshops will be in the Villaggio Family area.

The events are dedicated to children from 0 to 12 years old. How does the proposal differ according to different age groups?
I have worked a lot on the content, so that we have a broad and appropriate offer for all age groups. In addition, different are the settings of the proposal: for the very young (0-4 years old), for example, we need quiet places, so we will be inside a hall of the Palazzo dei Congressi; older children, on the other hand, can move freely in the space of the Boschetto - Parco Ciani Ciani and Punta Foce. The films we will screen will tend to be aimed at children ages 6 and up, but with a couple of proposals for the little ones as well.

The Village Family returns after a two-year hiatus. What is it all about?
Yes, we will reopen the Village after a two-year pandemic: the whole Hall of the Palazzo dei Congressi will be filled with carefully selected, creative and stimulating games of imagination, tending to be made of natural materials, for children from 0 to 12 years old. The environments will be diversified: there will be a space with books and poufs for reading, interactive mats for the very young, tables with everything needed to draw and make crafts, a dressing-up area and another for construction; finally, an area will open up to the Ciani Park, where there will be games to play outdoors, balls and rackets, various paths and games for free movement, ... There will also be no shortage of giant toys from the Toy Hospital and boxes for building.
The Village, created in 2016, is a space I particularly care about: it is designed to allow everyone to play, get together with other children and have a good time; a place that allows people to read new books, discover new games, generally get curious. As a parent, I also think it's a great place to play with your children-sometimes at home among the many things to do, it's hard to get yourself and your children to play. A place without an entrance fee, in the city center, convenient and accessible to all, where cultural exchange is possible, because play tends to bring people together.

The city of Lugano will welcome tourists and visitors who do not speak Italian this summer. What events will they be able to attend?
The theme of linguistic inclusion - but also in a broader sense - has always been present in the choice of programming. Most of the proposal is accessible to everyone regardless of language; in fact, children have a great ability to understand through other languages than verbal: the shows play on mimicry, sets, costumes, expressions, sounds, as well as on being together in the park, creating a community. For workshops, you imitate what others do, without necessarily speaking, and learn through imitation something new. 

The Family will also be present as part of LongLake Festival, July 13-31. How will the programming change during this period?
In the programming, every day, you will find workshops and shows that will always be held inside Ciani Park. The shows will differ from those of the summer, we will not be on the big stage at the Boschetto - Parco Ciani but will tend to be at the Punta Foce, with a minimalist stage and big cushions for sitting, or around Ciani Park, with traveling or interactive shows - a way of experiencing theater in a free and informal way. Throughout the weekend there will be performances and workshops for children ages 0 to 4.

The Family's summer season is at Ciani Park from 06/17 to 08/24. All events are free and without registration. To participate in workshops, show up 15 minutes before the start.
More information: luganoeventi.ch