Lapi Gelatine Brings Laughter Yoga to Beat Festival 2025 and Launches GenZone

A shared laugh can open up new spaces. On Thursday, August 28, Lapi Gelatine had the honour of officially launching GenZone, the brand-new area of the Beat Festival in Empoli, with an engaging Laughter Yoga session led by Laura Castagnetta from Semi di Gioia.

The event was more than just a wellness activity. It marked a meaningful step in strengthening our connection to the local community and supporting an evolving project focused on youth empowerment and well-being.

What is GenZone?

GenZone is a new area within the Beat Festival dedicated entirely to young people — a space for listening, dialogue, and personal growth. It was born through a co-design process on youth policies, promoted by the City of Empoli in collaboration with local associations and businesses.

Lapi Gelatine immediately embraced the project, opening the first evening with an initiative that reflects values we care deeply about: well-being, lightness, and authentic human connection.

Laughter Yoga: a practice that connects

The session, led by facilitator Laura Castagnetta, was more than just playful: it brought together colleagues, friends, family members, and local residents for a moment of shared energy and emotional release.

For us, this wasn’t a first. We had already experienced Laughter Yoga internally through the Lapi Group Youth Project, as part of a journey to build connection and resilience within our teams.
Bringing it to the Beat Festival was a natural next step — a chance to open the experience to the wider community and create space for joy, inclusion, and openness.

A heartfelt thank you

We would like to express our sincere thanks to City Councillor Matteo Bensi, who supported the creation of GenZone from the beginning, and to all the local associations who contributed their time, ideas, and energy to bring this new space to life.

GenZone continues beyond the festival

GenZone activities will continue every evening at the Beat Festival until September 7, offering free workshops, talks, and interactive experiences.
But this is just the beginning: the GenZone project will carry on after the festival, with new events and initiatives aimed at supporting young people and encouraging collective growth.

Lapi Gelatine and our local commitment

Participating in GenZone reflects how we at Lapi Gelatine see our role in the community. As a company rooted in Empoli, we believe that doing business also means giving back — supporting projects that centre around people, relationships, and meaningful impact.

We’ll keep showing up, even after the festival. Always with a smile.