Festival of Civil Commitment – Don Diana Award
The first Italian festival held on properties confiscated from the mafia, in Casal di Principe
About Festival of Civil Commitment
A festival born on properties confiscated from the mafia
The Festival of Civil Commitment is the first Italian festival held on properties confiscated from organized crime and returned to the public. It takes place in Casal di Principe, in the province of Caserta, in Campania—a land long marked by the presence of the Camorra and today a symbol of civil redemption. The festival was born with the desire to restart and redeem these territories precisely through the social reuse of assets seized from the mafia, rediscovering the beauty and richness of sustainable and inclusive development.
The memory of Don Peppe Diana
The festival is promoted by the Don Peppe Diana Committee together with Libera – Provincial Coordination of Caserta and numerous local associations. It is dedicated to the figure of Don Giuseppe Diana, the parish priest of Casal di Principe killed by the Camorra on March 19, 1994, and author of the famous document «For the love of my people, I will not be silent». Many of the activities are held at Casa Don Diana, on Via Urano, a property liberated from the Camorra and transformed into a center for legality and active citizenship.
Memory, culture, and civil commitment
The program weaves together testimonies, debates, workshops, music and dance performances, and meetings with students and volunteers. Special attention is paid to young people and the value of the social reuse of confiscated assets, involving volunteers from the EstateLiberi camps and local associations of the Caserta province. Culture and art become tools for citizenship education and community building.
The Don Diana National Award
The most anticipated moment is the Don Diana Day, featuring the presentation of the Don Diana National Award «For the love of my people»: a recognition awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in promoting civil commitment, social anti-mafia efforts, and the defense of rights. Over the years, the award has honored magistrates, priests, social workers, and witnesses of legality from all over Italy.
An event for the whole community
The Festival of Civil Commitment is now a point of reference for the Caserta area and the Italian anti-mafia movement. With free admission, it attracts citizens, students, associations, and institutions, offering three days where memory becomes a project and culture becomes an antidote to the mafia. A precious opportunity to learn firsthand about the experience of Casal di Principe and the Campania region that says no to the Camorra.
Festival of Civil Commitment — edition 2026
19th edition – «Inhabiting the Good»
The nineteenth edition of the Festival of Civil Commitment was concentrated over three days, from July 2 to 4, 2026, guided by the theme «Inhabiting the Good». Promoted by the Don Peppe Diana Committee and Libera Caserta, the festival relaunched the message of social anti-mafia efforts starting from the reuse of assets seized from the Camorra in Casal di Principe, in the province of Caserta.
The concluding moment was the traditional Don Diana Day on Saturday, July 4, at Casa Don Diana on Via Urano 18, with the presentation of the Don Diana National Award «For the love of my people».
Programme Festival of Civil Commitment 2026
Friday, July 3 – Youth Day
From 7:00 PM, at Casa Don Peppe Diana, a day entirely dedicated to young people: students, volunteers from the EstateLiberi camps, and young professionals from the Caserta area gathered for workshops, discussions, and musical moments on the value of the social reuse of confiscated assets. On stage, performances included Alice, winner of the Social Fest, the band BSR (Mario Griffo, Giusy Cretella, and Antonio Guida), the very young Samuele (eleven years old), and the emerging voice of Benedetta. The evening was enriched by traditional dance performances by the scout group of Casal di Principe.
Saturday, July 4 – Don Diana Day
At 6:00 PM, at Casa Don Diana on Via Urano 18, the closing moment of the festival featured the presentation of the Don Diana National Award «For the love of my people». For the 2026 edition, the recognition was awarded to Don Peppino Esposito, parish priest of the San Pietro Apostolo church in Caivano; Bruno Mazza, founder of the association «Un'infanzia da vivere» at Parco Verde in Caivano; and Maria Francesca Mariano, judge for preliminary investigations at the Court of Lecce, who has been involved in anti-mafia investigations for years.
Highlights Festival of Civil Commitment 2026
- 19th edition dedicated to the theme «Inhabiting the Good»
- Don Diana National Award presented to Don Peppino Esposito, Bruno Mazza, and Maria Francesca Mariano
- Youth Day with volunteers from the EstateLiberi camps
- Concerts by Alice, the BSR band, Samuele, and Benedetta
- Traditional dance by the Casal di Principe scout group
Prices Festival of Civil Commitment 2026
Practical information — Festival of Civil Commitment
Location
The festival is held in Casal di Principe (CE), in Campania, with main events at Casa Don Diana, Via Urano 18. Casal di Principe can be reached by car from the A1 motorway exit towards Caserta or via the SS Domitiana; the nearest train stations are Aversa or Caserta, which are connected by local buses.
Admission
Admission to all festival events is free.
Contacts
Don Peppe Diana Committee – Casa Don Diana. Email: [email protected]. Information available on the Don Peppe Diana Committee website and at festivalimpegnocivile.org.
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Where does it take place — Festival of Civil Commitment
Casa Don Diana
Via Urano 18, 81033 Casal di Principe