Abano Terme celebrates Dario Fo: the centenary at the International Mask Museum.

2026 marks the centenary of the birth of Dario Fo (1926–2016), Nobel Prize winner in Literature and one of the most original figures in Italian and European theatre. An artist capable of combining comedy and social commentary, he transformed the stage into an instrument of freedom.

To celebrate this anniversary, in Abano Terme – just a few minutes from the AbanoRitz Hotel – the Amleto and Donato Sartori International Mask Museum is offering, between February and March, several events dedicated to the great master: “Homage to Dario Fo”, part of the official celebrations promoted by the Fo-Rame Foundation.

The tribute to Dario Fo finds its ideal setting in the Sartori Museum, a cultural space of great charm and uniqueness. The Museum is dedicated to Amleto and Donato Sartori, artists who have shaped the history of Italian theatrical masks, reviving the legacy of the Commedia dell’Arte with a modern and extraordinary artisanal vision. Here, the mask is not a simple exhibit: it is a living material, a stage language, an expression of the body and gesture. It is a bridge between past and present, between tradition and theatrical experimentation, making the museum an international reference point.

Fo was not only an author and actor, but also a painter, set designer, and a master storyteller. His art was born from his body and voice, from his gestures and his ability to change face and rhythm in a matter of seconds, just like a medieval jester. It’s no coincidence that the name of Donato Sartori appears in his education and creative journey, as he helped introduce him to the world of theatrical masks. A connection that makes this tribute even more meaningful today.

For those staying in Abano Terme, the initiative by the Amleto and Donato Sartori International Museum of Masks and Gestures is the perfect invitation to discover a different side of the city; a chance to delve deeper into the legacy of Dario Fo and, at the same time, visit a unique and original museum just 2 km from the AbanoRitz, capable of captivating not only theater enthusiasts but anyone with a passion for Italian art and creativity.