The Custody of the Holy Land | Magnificat and the Italian Cultural Institute in Haifa
are delighted to invite you to a theatrical performance celebrating the life and legacy of St. Francis of Assisi
in a spirit of peace, dialogue, and understanding across cultures and faiths.
Marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi
and the 100th anniversary of Dario Fo’s birth:
LU SANTO JULLARE FRANCESCO
by Dario Fo and Franca Rame
Directed and performed by Christian Poggioni
Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM
IN PERSON | St. Joseph School Theater, 49 HaGalil Street, Nazareth
ADMISSION IS FREE.
We look forward to welcoming you!
THE PERFORMANCE | A surprising portrait of St. Francis, far removed from traditional depictions: joyful, rebellious, deeply human, and profoundly spiritual. Written by Dario Fo shortly after he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, Lu Santo Jullare Francesco brings the beloved saint of Assisi to life through the lively, irreverent language of medieval jesters and storytellers. Weaving together historical accounts, folk traditions, legends, and apocryphal tales, the play portrays a man who dared to challenge the conventions of his time and whose message continues to resonate today. At its heart is Francis himself, who called himself the “Jester of God” and embodied a universal vision of peace, dialogue across cultures and religions, and harmony between humanity and nature.
Blending humor, poetry, and spirituality, Christian Poggioni’s performance captures the enduring power and relevance of a figure whose life and ideals continue to challenge and inspire us.
THE PERFORMER | Christian Poggioni, an actor and director, trained under Giorgio Strehler at Milan’s prestigious Piccolo Teatro School. He graduated with honors from the University of Milan and furthered his studies with a master’s degree in directing from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, he has worked with internationally acclaimed directors, including Giorgio Strehler, Peter Stein, Massimo Castri, and Antonio Calenda, performing in productions that have toured Italy and Europe. His experience also spans theater, film, television, and radio, and he has served as an assistant director at the Kaye Playhouse in New York. Poggioni has directed and performed in numerous productions, including Mistero Buffo e altre storie, based on the work of Dario Fo. For Lu Santo Jullare Francesco, he received permission to stage the play directly from Fo’s heirs through the Compagnia Teatrale Fo Rame. He also teaches acting at the Advanced Training School of the Università Cattolica in Milan.
Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM
IN PERSON | St. Joseph School Theater, 49 HaGalil Street, Nazareth
FREE ADMISSION
