CocCogito – Hillside Philosophy Festival

A philosophy festival in the Monferrato hills

CocCogito is the Hillside Philosophy Festival that brings the village of Cocconato to life every spring. Located in the Province of Asti, in the heart of the Piedmontese Monferrato, it is a day entirely dedicated to thought, where philosophy steps out of classrooms and books to become a living, shared, and accessible experience within the stunning setting of the Courtyard of the College in the historic town centre.

The initiative stems from the desire of the Municipality of Cocconato and the Eugenio Rocca Civic Library to bring philosophical reflection into a popular and familiar context, far from academic formality. The festival is coordinated by Matteo Saudino, the teacher and popularizer known as Barbasophia, who guides the audience each year through a central theme, explored via dialogues, readings, and musical performances.

Philosophy for everyone, through words and music

What makes CocCogito special is its ability to weave together different disciplines: alongside philosophers, writers, poets, historians, and musicians take the stage in a program designed to move as much as it makes you think. Art installations scattered throughout the village and food stalls complete an experience that involves the entire town, turning Cocconato into a small, open-air agora.

• Dialogues and lectures with nationally renowned philosophers and speakers
• Meetings with writers, poets, and historians
• Live musical performances and interludes
• Art installations in the historic centre
• School previews featuring philosophy workshops for children and teenagers

The philosophical aperitivo

The festival traditionally closes with the philosophical aperitivo, a convivial moment that encapsulates the spirit of CocCogito: thinking together over a good glass of local wine. It is the perfect way to continue the day's reflections in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by the flavours of the Monferrato hills.

Cocconato and the Monferrato

Ranked among the most picturesque villages in the Asti area, Cocconato is known as the "Riviera of Monferrato" for its mild climate and the rolling hillside panoramas that surround it. Participating in CocCogito also means discovering a land of vineyards, wineries, and gastronomic tradition, in a region—Piedmont—where the culture of wine and the culture of thought have always met.