Festival Internazionale di Arte e Cultura di Melfi

Art and culture in the city of Frederick II

In historic Melfi, the symbolic city of Frederick II's kingdom, the Festival Internazionale di Arte e Cultura comes to life, a multidisciplinary review that intertwines artistic languages, historical memory, and new visions of the territory. Promoted by the association Officina Mediterranea of Avigliano, the festival reaches its third edition in 2026, hosted in the evocative Sala degli Stemmi of the Palazzo Vescovile.

The 'Sotto lo stesso cielo' competition

The heart of the event is the 'Sotto lo stesso cielo' competition, open to a variety of creative expressions: poetry, narrative, short stories, essays, painting, illustration, artistic craftsmanship, photography, comics, theater, monologues, performances, and short films. A broad and inclusive format, inviting artists and authors to engage with a common vision of dialogue and cultural openness, in line with the Mediterranean spirit of the organizing association.

Frederick II and 'Stupor Mundi'

The 2026 edition dedicates an in-depth study to the figure of Frederick II and 'Stupor Mundi', curated by historians Enrico Fagnano and Angelo Lacerenza, who recount his multicultural vision and deep connection with Melfi, where the emperor promulgated the famous Constitutions. The testimonial for the day is the actor Ulderico Pesce, a well-known voice in Italian civil theater.

A festival for the territory

Amidst awards, historical reflections, and artistic moments, the Festival Internazionale di Arte e Cultura di Melfi offers an opportunity for meeting and enhancing the creative energies of Basilicata and beyond. Free admission makes it an accessible event for everyone, in the name of culture as a shared asset.