Festival Dannunziano

The Festival Dannunziano in Pescara

The Festival Dannunziano is the most anticipated cultural highlight of the summer in Pescara, the Adriatic capital of Abruzzo and the hometown of Gabriele d'Annunzio. Created to celebrate the legacy of the 'Vate' (the Poet), the festival turns the city into a vast, open-air stage: concerts, theater, literature, contemporary art, talks, and film screenings intertwine to explore d'Annunzio's figure through modern perspectives.

A tribute to the Poet in his hometown

The event is organized by the Fondazione Crea (Regional Council Foundation for Events in Abruzzo) under the artistic direction of historian and writer Giordano Bruno Guerri, one of the foremost scholars of d'Annunzio and president of the Vittoriale degli Italiani. Each edition revolves around a theme that engages with the poet's work, from the cult of beauty to the concept of the "inimitable life."

Festival venues

The heart of the festival is the Aurum, the historic "Factory of Ideas" overlooking the d'Annunzio pine forest, but events spread across the city: the Birthplace of Gabriele d'Annunzio, the Museum of the People of Abruzzo, the Stadio del Mare, the Petruzzi Auditorium, and the Marina di Pescara, where the festival integrates into the city's summer calendar.

Music, theater, art, and innovation

• Major concerts featuring prominent names from the Italian and international music scene;
• Theatrical performances and readings dedicated to the works and life of the Poet;
• Exhibitions and installations of contemporary and 20th-century art;
• Immersive and digital experiences to rediscover d'Annunzio, including 3D virtual tours and holograms connected to the Vittoriale;
• Conferences and meetings with historians, writers, and scholars.

A free event for the city

The Festival Dannunziano offers free admission and attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year, establishing itself as one of the most popular cultural events in Abruzzo. By closing the summer season, it provides residents and visitors with the opportunity to rediscover Pescara's identity and the deep bond between the city and its most famous poet.