FantaSele

A nerd debut in the Sele Valley

FantaSele launches in 2026 as a new event dedicated to pop culture and the nerd world in the municipality of Oliveto Citra, in the province of Salerno, Campania. The first edition is scheduled for Saturday, September 5th, and Sunday, September 6th, 2026, featuring two days built around comics, video games, cosplay, art, and creativity. The underlying idea, as stated by the organizers, is to create an open space where different languages can meet without labels, fostering new connections between people who share the same passion.

Who is behind the project

FantaSele is the result of a meeting between three different entities: SeleFun, Cup of Pino, and the Ente Premio Sele d'Oro Mezzogiorno, a historic cultural institution that has enlivened Oliveto Citra for over forty years with meetings, debates, and awards dedicated to Southern Italy. It is precisely from this alliance between the nerd world and cultural outreach that the event's uniqueness arises: pop culture is not treated as a niche phenomenon, but as a contemporary language capable of bridging different generations. It is no coincidence that the first edition takes place during the period the town traditionally dedicates to the Premio Sele d'Oro, whose forty-second edition is announced for September 3rd to 12th, 2026.

What to expect

The thematic scope announced by the organizers is broad and transversal. The areas involved include:

• Comics and illustration, with the presence of illustrators and authors;
• Cosplay, including parades and moments of sharing among enthusiasts;
• Video games, from the latest titles to retrogaming with arcade cabinets;
• Board games and live-action gaming;
• Digital creators and local associations.

The event's mascot is called FANTA and was created by illustrator Fabiana Fiengo: her design incorporates elements of the Anforano, the historic symbol of the Premio Sele d'Oro, highlighting the link between the new event and the town's cultural identity.

Oliveto Citra, the host town

Oliveto Citra is a village in the middle Sele Valley, at the gates of the Picentini Mountains, dominated by its castle and also known for its olive oil production and the Grape Festival that marks its autumn. Its vocation for hosting major cultural events is not recent: for decades, the town has welcomed scholars, journalists, and artists every September for the Premio Sele d'Oro Mezzogiorno. FantaSele joins this calendar, bringing a younger audience and a different tone, in line with the growth of comic and gaming fairs throughout Southern Italy.

A first edition to watch

As this is a debut, the detailed program with guests, schedules, and activities will be communicated progressively through the organizers' official channels in the weeks leading up to the event. Those wishing to attend should follow the social media updates from SeleFun, where guests and experiences planned for the two days of September 5th and 6th, 2026, will be announced.