OUR HISTORY
The Ferrara Buskers Festival is the largest event in the world dedicated to street musicians. The project was born in 1987 in the mind of Stefano Bottoni, founder and artistic director of the event and currently its honorary president.
A lover of music and a musician himself, Stefano is first and foremost a craftsman, a blacksmith to be precise, and it was in his workshop that the idea for the festival was born.
The Ferrara Buskers Festival® is the largest event in the world dedicated to street performers. The project was born in 1987 by Stefano Bottoni, who is still the art director of the event. Music enthusiast and musician, Stefano is first of all a craftsman, a blacksmith. The festival's concept was actually born in his lab.
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 anyone 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 "Buskers" word 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 original spirit, born from a man in his lab, is stil the same.
OUR MISSION
A world without art is an empty world. Our festival is a tribute to music and art of all kinds.
Our aim is to give space to artists who don't have it and to shed light on those who have been 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.
MEMBERSHIP
Do you share our values and believe in culture and music as tools for sharing and growth?
Apply for a membership card and experience the festival from the inside, take part in meetings and decisions, become a member and join the association.
WORK WITH US
Do you love music, talking to people and want to experience the busking effect first hand?
You can join the staff and gain real experience in organising events by filling in the form and submitting your application.
BGREEN
BGREEN - We are ecological by our very nature
The Ferrara Buskers Festival was born on the streets and for the streets. Since its origin, the Festival has felt a duty to protect it: not only as a physical place, but as a symbol of respect for the environment. Since 2011, the Festival has promoted a green lifestyle, with a focus on nature and sustainable practices.
It is the first Italian event to be certified ISO 20121 for sustainability, thanks to the Ecofestival project. The BGreen initiative, renewed annually, addresses important ecological issues such as recycling, protection of the sea, and the proper disposal of technological waste.
In 2025, with the support of the Hera Group, the focus will be on the proper disposal of plastic, with workshops for adults and children.
There will also be a commitment to water: thanks to the Sorgente Urbana for a completely free refill, during the event you can drink still or sparkling water, reducing the use of plastic bottles, in addition to awareness-raising actions promoted by Plastic Free Ferrara. The Ferrara Buskers Festival demonstrates that you can have fun while respecting the environment for active and sustainable involvement.
EVERYONE
As Ferrara Buskers Festival, we work to ensure that the event takes place under the banner of safety and inclusion.
The Ferrara Buskers Festival is, first and foremost, an event for everyone, where art, music, and people of different cultures come together in one place, in mutual respect and freedom. We work every year to ensure a safe and inclusive experience, free from racism, homophobia, xenophobia, or any form of discrimination. Mutual respect is the foundation of everything we do.
Accessibility is one of our priority: the Festival is designed for people with any type of disability, with free admission reserved for companions, ensuring equal rights. Please send an email to biglietti@ferrarabuskers.org indicating the chosen dates, the name and surname of the accompanying person, an email address and telephone number, and attach a disability certificate. Our staff is also inclusive: people with disabilities work with us, and an AIDUS information desk will be set up for the inclusion of hearing and deaf people, because we believe in the value of every individual and the power of collaboration beyond any obstacle.
We also bring art beyond the Festival stage, with special visits to the Ferrara Prison to share music and humanity with those often left on the margins.
We believe that music should unite, not exclude.
