by InTrieste
The mountain village of Valbruna, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, will host a full day of outdoor activities, cultural events and discussions on sustainability on July 18, as the seventh edition of the NanoValbruna Festival concludes its weeklong international youth forum.
Organized by ReGeneration Hub Friuli, the event—titled “NanoValbruna in Festa”—brings together nature experiences, live performances, local food and environmental education in the heart of the Julian Alps. The celebration marks the final day of the NanoValbruna – International Forum for Youth Regeneration, which runs from July 12 to 18 and welcomes participants between the ages of 18 and 35 to explore themes including innovation, climate action and sustainable development.
This year’s festival carries the theme “Imagining to Regenerate,” reflecting its focus on encouraging young people to develop solutions for environmental and social challenges.
Hosted at the Kile Alpine Resort, the day begins with guided outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to noon, including a nature walk combined with outdoor yoga, an excursion exploring wild medicinal plants, and an educational forest walk examining local ecosystems in the nearby Val Saisera. Each excursion costs €3 and is led by local experts.
From noon to 3 p.m., the festival shifts to a community gathering featuring traditional Friulian cuisine, artisan markets showcasing handcrafted and recycled products, and live DJ performances.
The afternoon program moves indoors for the festival’s Data Café, an interactive discussion format designed to encourage conversations about scientific data related to climate change and environmental responsibility. The discussion is followed by the theatrical performance “20 Grammi,” a production that uses humor and storytelling to examine environmental issues and the climate crisis. Admission to both events is free.
As evening approaches, the festival returns outdoors with “Tramonto LIVE,” offering regional food, live concerts and DJ sets that continue into the night.
Throughout the day, visitors can also explore several immersive art installations housed inside former military powder magazines that have been repurposed as cultural spaces.
One installation, “Ecosistemi di Rigenerazione,” combines real-time sound and visual projections to transform the historic structures into interactive environments inspired by the surrounding alpine landscape. Semi-transparent suspended fabrics, dynamic lighting and audiovisual elements invite visitors to reflect on the relationship between technology, memory and nature.
A separate virtual reality experience allows participants to explore the Tagliamento River and its tributary, the Arzino, through a digitally reconstructed landscape created using drone surveys, photogrammetry and game-engine technology. The project aims to present the region’s natural heritage through immersive digital tools.
The NanoValbruna Festival has grown into an annual meeting point for scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, environmental experts and young participants interested in sustainable development. Organizers say the initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging dialogue on regeneration, innovation and the future of mountain communities.
The festival is supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government along with public institutions, universities, businesses and nonprofit organizations across the region.
More information and registration details are available on the festival’s official website.
