CoiLibrì Fest

CoiLibrì Fest, the reading festival in Chieti

CoiLibrì Fest is a celebration of reading that brings Chieti, the provincial capital of Abruzzo, to life. Promoted by the Municipality of Chieti's Municipal Reading Pact under the national "Chieti City of Readers" recognition, the festival takes books out of libraries and places them at the heart of city life, in a square open to children, families, schools, and associations.

A square that becomes an agora

The heart of the event is Piazzale Marconi in Chieti Scalo, which transforms into a cultural agora for an entire day. From morning until night, the program features creative writing workshops, read-aloud sessions, dramatic readings, book presentations, themed photo booths, podcasts, and mobile libraries. It is a festival designed to bring different generations together around the written word, deeply rooted in the city's social and educational fabric.

Schools, associations, and the community

The festival stems from a collaboration between the Municipality, local schools, and a network of cultural and community organizations. Local comprehensive schools, high schools, and boarding schools lead the morning activities, while cultural associations, bookstores, and local publishing houses take the stage in the afternoon and evening. The CoiLibrì Fest involves key local entities such as the Bonincontro Library, the UNESCO Club, Oltremuseo, Teatenostra, and Edizioni Il Viandante, showcasing a synergy that engages the entire Chieti community.

Myths and legends of Abruzzo

One of the hallmarks of CoiLibrì Fest is its focus on local cultural identity: alongside children's readings and editorial presentations, the festival features the narration of Abruzzo myths and legends and readings of dialect poetry, weaving the pleasure of reading with the memory and traditions of the Chieti province.

A new landmark for the region

With its inaugural 2025 edition, CoiLibrì Fest established itself as a new cultural landmark for Chieti and Abruzzo, attracting hundreds of people to the square. The municipal administration aims to consolidate this tradition over the years, making it a permanent fixture on the city calendar dedicated to promoting books and reading.