Etruscan Literary Festival
Books and authors among the Etruscan tombs, featuring the first stop of the Strega Tour
About Etruscan Literary Festival
A literary festival among the Etruscan tombs of Cerveteri
The Etruscan Literary Festival is a celebration of books and author encounters held in Cerveteri, within the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the heart of Lazio. Its setting is among the most extraordinary imaginable for literary discourse: the Banditaccia Necropolis, the immense Etruscan city of the dead declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, where burial mounds and tombs carved into the tuff become a natural stage for dialogue between writers and the public.
Contemporary literature and archaeological heritage
Founded to reaffirm the irreplaceable value of reading and books, the festival offers days of presentations, dialogues, and cultural exchange with free admission. The format intertwines local authors with national protagonists of Italian fiction, featuring meetings that range from historical novels to thrillers, and family sagas to current affairs. The public can immerse themselves in the world of books, discover new voices, and hear writers discuss their work in a place steeped in millennia of history.
The first stop of the Premio Strega
The highlight that makes the event truly special is its connection to the Premio Strega, Italy's most prestigious literary award. The Banditaccia Necropolis has been chosen as the first stop of the Strega final tour: it is here in Cerveteri that the twelve finalists of the edition are presented in a preview, in an evening that combines the national prestige of the award with the unique charm of the Cerite archaeological site.
Environment and identity
The Etruscan Literary Festival is part of the rich cultural calendar through which Cerveteri promotes its identity as an Etruscan city, alongside the Archaeological Park and other events that animate the necropolis. For visitors, attending means experiencing a dual journey: on one hand, an encounter with today's Italian literature, and on the other, the discovery of one of the most important Etruscan sites in the Mediterranean, just a few kilometers from the Roman coast.
Why attend
- Author encounters with free admission
- Unique setting in the Banditaccia Necropolis, a UNESCO site
- The first national stop of the Premio Strega with the twelve finalists
- A mix of local voices from Lazio and major names in Italian fiction
Etruscan Literary Festival — edition 2026
2026 Etruscan Literary Festival
From April 23 to 26, 2026, the Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri hosted the 2026 edition of the Etruscan Literary Festival, four days of books and cultural exchange with free admission. The festival brought together local authors and national voices, culminating in the first stop of the 2026 Premio Strega final tour and the presentation of the twelve finalists.
Programme Etruscan Literary Festival 2026
2026 Program
Thursday, April 23 (5:30 PM) - Erica Cassano presents Duramadre, a novel dedicated to the theme of identity; followed by Giulio Leoni presenting L'anatomista delle ombre, a historical thriller set in 19th-century Rome.
Friday, April 24 (5:30 PM) - Serena Bortone presents Le Dirimpettaie, set in Italy during the economic boom; Antonella Mollicone presents La Femminanza, a family saga spanning fifty years of Italian history. Moderated by writer and commentator Gino Saladino.
Sunday, April 26 - First stop of the 2026 Premio Strega final tour at the Banditaccia Necropolis, featuring the preview presentation of the twelve finalists of the edition.
Highlights Etruscan Literary Festival 2026
- First national stop of the 2026 Premio Strega with the twelve finalists
- Encounters with Serena Bortone, Giulio Leoni, Erica Cassano, and Antonella Mollicone
- Setting in the Banditaccia Necropolis, a UNESCO site
- All events are free to attend
Prices Etruscan Literary Festival 2026
Practical information — Etruscan Literary Festival
How to get there
The Banditaccia Necropolis is located at Via della Necropoli 43-45, in Cerveteri (RM). By car from Rome, take the A12 Rome-Civitavecchia motorway (Cerveteri-Ladispoli exit) or the Via Aurelia SS1. By train, reach the Cerveteri-Ladispoli station on the FL5 Rome-Civitavecchia line, with bus connections to the town center and the necropolis.
Admission and hours
Festival events are free to attend. Sessions take place in the late afternoon (from 5:30 PM). For the updated program and schedule, please check the official channels of the Municipality of Cerveteri and the Nilde Iotti Municipal Library.
Contacts
Nilde Iotti Municipal Library - Municipality of Cerveteri. Tel. +39 06 9943285. Email [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Etruscan Literary Festival
Necropoli della Banditaccia
Via della Necropoli 43-45, 00052 Cerveteri