Boutique Larp — Drama · Politics

In the heart of Florence's historic center, among the bustle of tourists and the alleys that wind like veins through stone, there is a place not found in any guidebook: the i Macci social center. For years it has been a home, a laboratory, and a place where bonds and stories are born. Here, artists, activists, and those simply seeking refuge have built a community — an island in a city that often seems to belong only to those who can afford it.

But tomorrow everything will be over. The authorities will evict the Macci, perhaps transforming it into yet another dormitory for wealthy students. In a single moment, all that has happened there and what that place has meant will be sealed into a mere memory. And so tonight will be the last to celebrate the Macci — a chance to dance, to resist, to show the world that the spirits of those who fight will not be broken, to ensure that the echo of this place reverberates in the city's memory.

That's not all. Something strange is happening in the naves of the church. There are whispers of unusual resonances that seem to escape silence. As if that weren't enough, a few months ago one of the community's members vanished without a trace during an evening. Most likely they simply left to go somewhere else, but the police are not convinced and have used the pretext to accelerate the eviction proceedings.

Inspired by the melancholic and surreal atmosphere of Disco Elysium, Anatomy of an Echo is a dramatic larp organized in collaboration with Gadaplay, exploring themes such as the strength of a community, class consciousness, in the context of a mystery bordering on the supernatural. One night to discover what lies hidden in the Macci, and to ask what will remain when the seals are placed: only silence, or the echo of something greater.

Playing the bonds of the Macci's inhabitants: At the heart of the story are the occupants who live and animate the social center. Each character carries their own history, often marked by losses, failures, and shattered hopes, but also a deep bond with the community. The relationships between them — of friendship, love, conflict, or dependency. The next day they will have to leave the place where they have lived for years without letting what it represents dissolve into nothing, and decide what to do with their lives.

Investigating the strange phenomena in the deconsecrated church: The disappearance of one of the young people and the strange frequencies echoing through the church walls are more than simple mysteries. They are enigmas that call into question what is real. This has also attracted other interested figures to the party — university researchers are there to learn more.

18:00 - Gathering

18:30 - Event start

22:30 - Event end

Maximum number of characters: 24

The game takes place entirely at the Macci venue, in Florence. The total duration is approximately 4 hours.

Anatomy of an Echo may address intense themes such as substance use, addiction, disability, economic precarity, bereavement, and interpersonal conflicts. Emotional safety is our priority: we will use calibration and safety techniques, conduct briefings, and each character sheet will clearly indicate the content covered. The larp is for everyone, but not every character is for everyone. We will help you find the right role for you.

In the form you can let us know about any triggers or specific needs. Organizers will always be available during the event.

If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with what is happening, use the safety words 'go easy' to invite other players to tone it down, and 'stop' to halt them. At any time feel free to step out of the game and approach an organizer.

Anatomy of an Echo is an event that can be run on multiple occasions. Here are the dates of past and future runs:

• First run: February 22, 2025 - Florence

• Second run: February 21, 2026 - Florence

Follow our social pages for updates on new runs!

To participate, follow the instructions on the registration form.

When we first conceived Anatomy of an Echo, we wanted to explore what it means to lose a space of cultural resistance — a place that is far more than four walls: it is collective memory, community, possibility. We were inspired by real-world spaces like the historic Leoncavallo in Milan.

Unfortunately, what was once a story has become reality. In August 2025, the Leoncavallo was evicted. A place that had represented a hub of community, culture, and solidarity in a city increasingly hostile to non-commercial spaces was erased. This eviction marks the end of an era in which Milan, and many other Italian cities, tolerated the existence of independent, self-managed spaces.

Gentrification is not just an urban process: it is the erasure of memories, relationships, and possibilities. It is the transformation of cities into products to be sold to the highest bidder, excluding those who cannot afford them.

This is why we feel even more strongly the need to tell this story. Anatomy of an Echo is not just a game: it is a way to reflect together on what we lose when we allow spaces of cultural resistance to be swept away. And on what we can do to ensure their echo continues to resound.