20 Sept-30 Nov. 2003 Romes richest festival, organised by the French Academy and the city council, runs for longer than usual this year. The 350 artists from 15 different countries who are participating in the avant-garde, multidisciplinary event take the audience on a voyage through the sounds of old and new Europe, the cultural mutations induced by globalisation, the universe of the internet, sexual ambiguity and the wonders of technology, among other themes. Performances to look out for include those by DV8 Physical Theatre (16-19 Oct), the Merce Cunningham Dance Company (24-26 Oct), a new production by Giorgio Barberio Corsetti and Giovanni Lindo Ferretti (30 Oct-2 Nov), and work by Antonin Artaud and June Jordan staged by Peter Sellars (27-29 Nov). Specially-priced passes for seven or 14 events are available. See Dance, Music and Lectures, and Academies page 25.