OUR HISTORY
The Ferrara Buskers Festival is the largest event in the world dedicated to street musicians. The project was born in 1987 from the mind of Stefano Bottoni, still today the artistic director of the event.
Lover of music and musician himself, Stefano is first of all a craftsman, a blacksmith to be exact and the idea of the festival was born in his workshop.
The Ferrara Buskers Festival is the largest event in the world dedicated to street performers. The project was born in 1987 from the mind of Stefano Bottoni, who is still the artistic director of the event. Lover of music and himself a musician, Stefano is first of all a craftsman, a blacksmith to be exact, the idea of the festival was actually born in his workshop.
Various ideas have sprung into his head but one, above all, gave life to the project. A newspaper article published on the 30th of July 1987, mentioned two musicians, with drums and guitar, removed by the police force. Stefano Bottoni therefore thought that there could be a city, or at least a period, in which one could play on the street: his town, Ferrara.
It was necessary to give a name and back the idea, which at that time seemed to be at most an event held every 2 years. Stefano brought his idea to the Mayor who, unexpectedly, immediately supported it.
Probably the recent trip to New York had brought him closer to the street musicians seen in Time Square and he wished for a more cosmopolitan Ferrara. It was necessary to create the organization and the working force. Having written the project and made the team - the same Association active today - it was necessary to find a strong and international name. Thus, the word Buskers was also known in Italy, thanks to which today everyone knows and recognizes as the figure of the street musician.
In 1987 Stefano Bottoni, in his workshop, met Lucio Dalla, thanks to a fortuitous game of fate.
Two years later, the great artist from Bologna, will be seen playing the clarinet together with Jimmy Villotti at the Festival, in a square in Ferrara, hidden amongst the other participating buskers.
Today the festival has many emulators, but the initial spirit, born of a man in his workshop, remains unchanged.
OUR MISSION
A world without art is an empty world. Our festival is a tribute to music and art of all kinds. Our goal is to give space to artists who don’t have it and light to those who were previously hidden. The Ferrara Buskers Festival is a place where street artists from all over the world can come together and give life to an ecosystem of art, music and different cultures.
HOW TO JOIN
If you share our same values, if you believe in culture and music as tools for sharing and growth, you can support the festival by joining our Association.
Make some noise.
WORK WITH US
Live a unique experience by supporting the staff in organizing the event.
If you love music, talk to people and you are a dynamic person, send your CV via the attached form.
BGREEN
Being attentive to the Earth, capable of not forgetting where we come from, taking care of Nature and our fellow men. This is not just a principle.
This is a WAY OF BEING.
BEGREEN.
he Ferrara Buskers Festival, after receiving important awards including the Cultura in Verde Award and the Ecofeste Award, is the first event in Italy to be certified ISO 20121 with the Ecofestival project which, from this edition, evolves into BGreen.
To confirm what has been important to date, separate waste collection is maintained, the free distribution of the non-disposable cup, the zero paper objective is confirmed and the reduction of plastic is started, providing important information on how to improve your own lifestyle through thematic workshops carried out in collaboration with Hera and the pupils of the ICS Alda Costa primary school.
The Ferrara Buskers Festival has already distinguished itself for the cleaning of the concert areas, the very low acoustic impact and the correct disposal of cigarette butts.
The world is wonderful. We will do everything to keep it that way.
In collaboration withGRUPPO HERA, Plastic Free, Legambiente.
This year we dedicate the Festival to the Bees, in collaboration withAssociazione Apicoltori Estensi.
Presentation of the book "The revolution of the bees" by (and with) Monica Pelliccia and Adelina Zarlenga
At the entrances, mixed flower seeds will be given to the public to support the repopulation of bees.
EVERYONE
As Ferrara Buskers Festival, we work to ensure that the event will take care of safety and inclusion.
For this reason we do not tolerate any form of racism, homophobia, xenophobia or any other type of discrimination. Our Festival is a union of art, music but above all people and for this reason we are committed, together with our staff, to ensure that the event takes place under the banner of mutual respect.
Help us too.
Be respectful of other people's cultures.
Report any kind of discriminatory behavior to our staff.
Remember: everyone deserves to be safe.
