by InTrieste
A small stretch of Largo Bonifacio, at the foot of Viale XX Settembre, will once again turn into a celebration of science-fiction creativity this fall. On November 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the city will host the third edition of the Mercatino Intergalattico, a niche artisan market tied to the annual Trieste Science+Fiction Festival.
The initiative was announced during a press briefing at City Hall by Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Economic Policies Serena Tonel, joined by Francesca Dambrosi, head of the municipal department for economic activities, and Federica Mancini, event coordinator for La Cappella Underground, the cultural association co-organizing the market.
Presented as something more imaginative than a traditional street fair, the market is designed as an exhibition space for artisans whose work draws inspiration from the worlds of science fiction and film. “This event strengthens the connection between the festival and the cultural and social fabric of the city,” Tonel said, describing the market as part of broader efforts to integrate the long-running science-fiction festival into daily life in Trieste. She pointed to Piazza della Borsa and other urban locations that have increasingly served as festival venues. Largo Bonifacio, she noted, creates a symbolic pathway linking the city center with Teatro Rossetti, the festival’s main theater.
Organizers emphasized the creative nature of the works on display — from music-box carillons playing famous film soundtracks to bookmarks crafted using strips of vintage film trailers. “There has been a wonderful response in past years, from both the public and exhibitors,” Mancini said, adding that half of this year’s 11 vendors will travel from outside the region, a sign that the market’s reputation is growing. The intention, she explained, is also to reach curious passers-by who may not be familiar with the festival and inspire them to explore it further.
This edition will feature exhibitors offering items made from real film stock, limited-edition fan-art action figures, fashion accessories, collage art, crocheted characters, bags created from local festival posters, and other handmade pieces. Should rain interrupt the outdoor market, vendors will relocate — or, as organizers joked, “teleport” — inside Teatro Rossetti.
Among the confirmed participants are Coll’ageD’or, Forgotten Favorites, UAO Stampe Sorprendenti, ArtNot, Filmalibri, Maluesa, Sinfonia Italiana Carillon, Extravacat, Mushrooms Cave, Action Figure Sbagliate, Lister Sartoria Sociale, and La Cappella Underground.
The Mercatino Intergalattico has quickly become a quirky autumn fixture in a city where scientific culture and imagination often intersect — fitting for Trieste, where the annual science-fiction festival has become one of the most recognizable events on the local calendar.
