The first edition of the FRANCO Festival took place on October 24th and 25th in the Apennine setting of Lama di Reno, in the province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna). The event was organised by ART-ER in collaboration with Lo Stato dei Luoghi, Municipality of Bologna, BIS – Bologna Innovation Square, Muncipality of Marzabotto and Unione dell’Appennino. It was two intense days of talks, workshops, performances, and networking. The former paper mill became a laboratory for policies and practices on culture as a lever for urban transformation and social cohesion.