Caterina Sforza Festival - The Unconformist
Three days of history, words, and music in the heart of Forlì, in the spirit of the Lady of Romagna
About Caterina Sforza Festival
A festival in the spirit of the Lady of Forlì
The Caterina Sforza Festival - The Unconformist is one of the most anticipated cultural events in Forlì, in the heart of Romagna (Province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna). Born to pay homage to Caterina Sforza, the courageous and indomitable Lady of Forlì who, between the 15th and 16th centuries, defied conventions, armies, and powerful figures, the festival captures her unconformist spirit to transform it into three days of thought, words, and music.
History, literature, and music in dialogue
Each edition revolves around a keyword that spans history, culture, society, and contemporary issues. The program alternates lectio magistralis by prominent figures in Italian thought, book presentations, talks with writers, theatrical performances, and concerts. The artistic direction is entrusted to the writer Eleonora Mazzoni, while the event is promoted by the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Forlì with production by Art.4.
A city that tells its story
The festival is also a way to experience and rediscover Forlì: its venues change and narrate the city's urban transformation, from the Auditorium Conad to the Fabbrica delle Candele, to the Giardino GIO, and in some editions, to the evocative Rocca di Ravaldino, Caterina Sforza's historic residence. Guests from recent editions – such as Massimo Recalcati, Alessandro D'Avenia, Rosella Postorino, and Aldo Cazzullo – attest to the cultural ambition of an event that speaks to the present by drawing from history.
2026 Edition: 'Borders'
From June 12th to 14th, 2026, the festival explores the theme of 'Borders', understood as geographical, temporal, political, and metaphorical lines: historical anniversaries, dialogues between words and music, book presentations dedicated to Caterina Sforza and her son Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, culminating in the final concert 'Borders without Borders'.
Why it's worth attending
- A free festival with leading figures from Italian culture.
- Three days of meetings, performances, and concerts in the center of Forlì.
- An opportunity to discover the history of Caterina Sforza and Renaissance Romagna.
Caterina Sforza Festival — edition 2026
The Caterina Sforza Festival - The Unconformist 2026 dedicates its edition to the theme of 'Borders', understood as geographical, temporal, political, and metaphorical lines. The event, promoted by the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Forlì with artistic direction by Eleonora Mazzoni and production by Art.4, takes place from June 12th to 14th at the Auditorium Conad - Città di Forlì, Fabbrica delle Candele, Giardino GIO, and Libreria Mega Mondadori. The program intertwines historical anniversaries, dialogues between words and music, and tributes to the figure of Caterina Sforza and her son Giovanni dalle Bande Nere.
Programme Caterina Sforza Festival 2026
Friday, June 12th
- 9:00 PM - Auditorium Conad - Performance 'Francesco' with Aldo Cazzullo and Angelo Branduardi on piano with Fabio Valdemarin: a dialogue between words and music dedicated to St. Francis, on the eighth centenary of his death.
Saturday, June 13th
- 6:00 PM - Libreria Mega Mondadori - Presentation of the book 'Crudelissima virago' by Paolo Cortesi, dedicated to Caterina Sforza.
- 9:00 PM - Fabbrica delle Candele - 'In-Fine la Vita (un mistero)' with Simonetta Solder, Davide Rondoni, and Eleonora Mazzoni.
Sunday, June 14th
- 6:00 PM - Giardino GIO - Presentation of the book 'Giovanni dalle Bande Nere. Il Gran Diavolo da Forlì' by Marco Viroli, on the 500th anniversary of the death of Caterina Sforza's son.
- 8:15 PM - Giardino GIO - Riccardo Pedicone presents Serena Bortone and her novel 'Le dirimpettaie'.
- 9:30 PM - Giardino GIO - Final concert 'Archi senza confini' (Borders without Borders), the result of an international masterclass dedicated to the modern violin and the fusion of genres, curated by the Accademia InArte.
Highlights Caterina Sforza Festival 2026
Prices Caterina Sforza Festival 2026
Practical information — Caterina Sforza Festival
When and Where
The festival takes place in Forlì (Province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna), generally in mid-June. The 2026 edition is held from June 12th to 14th in various city locations: Auditorium Conad - Città di Forlì, Fabbrica delle Candele, Giardino GIO, and Libreria Mega Mondadori.
Admission and Reservations
Admission to events is free with mandatory reservation. Reservations can be made through the festival's official website and the Eventbrite platform.
How to Get There
Forlì is well-connected by the A14 highway (Forlì exit) and the Bologna-Rimini railway line, with Forlì station just a few minutes from the center. The nearest airport is Forlì; alternatively, Bologna and Rimini.
Contacts
IAT Office Municipality of Forlì - tel. +39 0543 712362, email [email protected]. Information and full program at festivalcaterinaforli.it.
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Where does it take place — Caterina Sforza Festival
Auditorium Conad - Città di Forlì, Fabbrica delle Candele, Giardino GIO