Aperitivo d'Autore – Masseria Leucaspide

Aperitivo d'Autore: where books meet the masseria

Aperitivo d'Autore is a traveling literary festival that has been enlivening the masserie of the Taranto province in Puglia since 2015. Conceived and artistically directed by Vincenzo Parabita for the Volta la carta association, the format stems from a simple yet winning idea: taking writers out of bookstores and into the countryside, surrounding them with music, wine, and local delicacies. The result is a convivial afternoon that, from one encounter to the next, gently slips into the evening.

The setting: Masseria Leucaspide in Statte

Among the locations that have hosted the festival, Masseria Leucaspide in the municipality of Statte is perhaps the most fascinating. A 16th-century structure nestled in greenery just a few kilometers from Taranto, it served in the 19th century as the summer retreat of the Italian-British senator James Lacaita, who hosted illustrious figures of the era there. Today, its open spaces and historic rooms serve as a natural stage for meetings with authors, in a continuous dialogue between literature and the Apulian landscape.

A format that blends culture and conviviality

Every Aperitivo d'Autore event combines three ingredients: book presentations with national writers and local voices, live music or a DJ set, and food and wine tastings curated by local producers. There is also a focus on the little ones, with workshops and activities designed for families. It is a formula that has made the festival a reference point for the Taranto public who love books without sacrificing the pleasure of good food in the open air.

Ten years of encounters

Over the course of its editions, the festival has brought many names of Italian fiction to the masseria. On September 27, 2025, Masseria Leucaspide hosted the special day Una pagina per Volta, dedicated to the ten years of the format, featuring singer-songwriter and author Erica Mou, Paolo Di Paolo, Dario Voltolini, and comedian Nicolò Targhetta. In previous seasons, authors such as Bruno Arpaia and Lisa Ginzburg have visited, confirming the festival's vocation to bridge the gap between the local public and nationally renowned figures.

A staple of Apulian culture

With free admission and an informal atmosphere, Aperitivo d'Autore represents one of the most characteristic cultural initiatives in the Ionian territory. The combination of the rural Puglia of the masserie, the written word, and local flavors makes it an event capable of speaking to both reading enthusiasts and curious visitors looking for a different kind of afternoon just a stone's throw from Taranto.

The dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the organization: the festival is usually held in the autumn.