FeLiCe – Ceppaloni Book Festival
Three days of books, meetings, and workshops at the Medieval Castle of Ceppaloni
About FeLiCe
A book festival inside a medieval castle
FeLiCe – Ceppaloni Book Festival is the literary event that transforms the Medieval Castle of Ceppaloni into a grand reading square every year at the end of May. The village, perched along the Sabato Valley just a few kilometers from Benevento, opens its courtyards, halls, and walkways for three days of author meetings, presentations, round tables, workshops, and concerts. The format is that of a widespread literary festival, but set within a small-town atmosphere: easy access, a diverse audience, and authors within reach.
Born from the Reading Pact
The festival is not an isolated event: it stems from the Reading Pact of the Municipality of Ceppaloni, a reading promotion project recognized as a cultural best practice, and is built in collaboration with the UbikLiberitutti bookstore in Benevento, the Parole in Circolo Association, and the Municipal Library. This deep rooting explains FeLiCe's most original feature: the work with schools does not end with the three days of the festival but continues throughout the school year. In the 2026 edition, the preparatory path involved over one hundred teachers in four training days and more than a thousand students in reading sessions, who arrived at the castle already well-versed in the books and authors on the program.
The program: authors, workshops, music
Each day alternates between different tones. Mornings are dedicated to the little ones and schools, with creative writing workshops, dialogic reading sessions for the 0-6 age group, and award ceremonies for projects completed during the year. Afternoons host presentations and round tables with writers, journalists, and historians; evenings close with theatrical readings and concerts, often linked to the musical tradition of the Sannio region. There are also narrated walks through the old town, recounting local history and legends while strolling among the stone houses.
- Presentations of essays, novels, and children's books
- Thematic round tables with national guests
- Creative writing and reading workshops for children
- Theatrical readings and evening recitals
- Concerts and musical moments of folk tradition
- Guided walks through the village exploring history and legends
Ceppaloni, the Janare, and the Sannio identity
FeLiCe is also a way to reinterpret the identity of the territory. Ceppaloni is one of the places of origin of the myth of the Janare, the witches of Benevento tradition, who according to popular tales had one of their passages in the Stretto di Barba, at the gates of the town. The Municipality has paired the book festival with a second cultural project dedicated specifically to the Janare, with weekends of events in June: two complementary initiatives that use narrative—both written and oral—as a lever for promoting the village.
An event growing beyond municipal borders
Promoted by the Municipality of Ceppaloni in the province of Benevento, in the heart of the Sannio region in Campania, the festival has progressively widened its reach: Mayor Claudio Cataudo has asserted the ambition to make it a reference point for young readers in the Benevento area, with cultural and economic benefits for the town. The artistic direction entrusted to a writer, the participation of nationally renowned authors, and the choice of a central theme for each edition have given the event a recognizable identity, far removed from a simple series of book presentations.
Why it's worth the trip
Those who come to FeLiCe find a human-scale festival: you listen to an author in the castle courtyard, head down to the village for a walk, and return up for the evening concert. It is an opportunity to discover a Sannio village often off the beaten tourist track and to see a community at work that has chosen books as a tool for collective growth. For families with children, it is one of the most carefully curated offerings in the province, thanks to workshops designed for specific age groups.
FeLiCe — edition 2026
FeLiCe 2026: finding the way out of the labyrinth by reading
The third edition of FeLiCe was held from May 22 to 24, 2026, at the Medieval Castle of Ceppaloni, with a title that summarizes its intent: 'True or False? You can find your way out of the labyrinth by reading.' The theme—the ability to navigate information and exercise critical thinking—ran through all the events, from round tables with national guests to workshops for the little ones.
The artistic direction was entrusted to the writer Daniele Aristarco, already a guest of previous editions. The opening on May 22 saw the participation of Walter Veltroni. The festival mascot, designed by illustrator Erika Di Piero, depicted a young reader finding the way out of the labyrinth thanks to the light of books.
The preparatory path was particularly extensive: over one hundred teachers involved in four training days and more than a thousand students met during the school year. Mayor Claudio Cataudo emphasized how 'culture makes you mentally free,' claiming the growth of an event that has now surpassed municipal borders and attracted interest throughout Campania.
Alongside the festival, the Administration announced two weekends of events for June dedicated to the Janare, a central figure of Ceppaloni's tradition, whose myth originates in the Stretto di Barba.
Programme FeLiCe 2026
Friday, May 22, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Presentation of the book Fascistissima by Giovanni Mari, in dialogue with Mario Cataudo
- 6:00 PM — Round table 'The truth of the facts' with Walter Veltroni, moderated by Zerihun Tranfa
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Creative writing workshop 'The labyrinth of stories' (8-10 years, registration required) and dialogic reading workshop (0-6 years)
- 11:00 AM — Round table on circular creativity with Geotecnic S.r.l. and students from I.C. Settembrini, with award ceremony for school projects
- 4:00 PM — 'Walking through history and legends': guided walk in the old town
- 5:00 PM — Meeting with Vanessa Roghi on narratives that misrepresent young people
- 6:30 PM — Theatrical reading Ma io ho deciso. Storia di Lia Pipitone with Daniele Aristarco and Anna De Giovanni
Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Presentation of the volume I confini del territorio pontificio di Benevento by Alfredo Rossi
- 12:00 PM — Presentation of the novel L'ultima Janara by Pasquale Rosati
- 4:00 PM — Presentation of Euthymios, il medico greco che incontrò Yeshua by Nicola Sguera
- 5:30 PM — Meeting with Susanna Mattiangeli on La casa di Lea
- 8:00 PM — 'Vulim'' concert with the 'Il Respiro dell'anima' organetto orchestra, with Alessandro Parente
All events took place at the Medieval Castle of Ceppaloni.
Highlights FeLiCe 2026
- Edition theme: 'True or False? You can find your way out of the labyrinth by reading'
- Artistic direction by writer Daniele Aristarco
- Opening with Walter Veltroni on May 22
- Meetings with Vanessa Roghi and Susanna Mattiangeli
- Theatrical reading Ma io ho deciso. Storia di Lia Pipitone
- Final concert 'Vulim'' with the 'Il Respiro dell'anima' organetto orchestra
- Workshops for children aged 0 to 10 and a walk in the old town
- Over 100 teachers and more than 1,000 students involved in the preparatory path
Prices FeLiCe 2026
Practical information — FeLiCe
How to get there
Ceppaloni is located about 10 km from Benevento, along the Sabato Valley. By car: Benevento-Castel del Lago motorway junction, then follow signs for Ceppaloni; from Naples, take the A16 to Benevento (about 1 hour and 15 minutes). By train: Benevento Centrale station, connected to Naples and Caserta, then take local buses or a taxi. The nearest airport is Naples-Capodichino, about 70 km away.
Where it takes place
The meetings are held in the Medieval Castle of Ceppaloni, in the historic center of the town. The village is uphill and has stone paving: comfortable shoes are recommended. Parking is available in areas adjacent to the historic center.
Tickets and registration
Meetings with authors are open to the public; for workshops dedicated to children, registration is required in advance by contacting the Municipality. For updated information on schedules and bookings: Municipality of Ceppaloni, tel. +39 0824 66511, [email protected].
Tips
Late May days in the Sannio region are mild, but evenings at the castle can be cool: a light jacket is useful. For overnight stays, it is best to rely on Benevento, which offers the widest choice of hotels and B&Bs just a few minutes' drive away.
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Where does it take place — FeLiCe
Castello Medievale di Ceppaloni