Festival of Plural Thought
The Words of Philosophy, Italy's longest-running philosophy festival in Ancona
About Plural Thought
A philosophy festival in the heart of Ancona
The Festival of Plural Thought is one of the most beloved and deeply rooted cultural events in Ancona, the capital of the Marche region. Born in 1998 as the "Le Parole della Filosofia" event on the initiative of Professor Giancarlo Galeazzi, it is considered one of the first philosophy festivals in Italy and the first in the Marche: a true institution that has transformed the 'doric' capital into a city of philosophy for a few months each year.
Each edition revolves around a major theme of life, addressed in language accessible to everyone, not just academics. Philosophy moves out of university lecture halls and becomes a public encounter: lectio magistralis, dialogues, book presentations, screenings, and debates among students animate the center of Ancona for weeks.
Sections of the festival
The festival is organized into several strands, making it a complex and multidisciplinary event:
- Philosophy School: meetings designed to introduce the public, especially young people, to the great themes of thought.
- The Philosophical Library: presentations and discussions of philosophy books with their authors.
- The Philosopher's Screen: dialogues between philosophy, cinema, and video art.
- Philosophy and Territory: a focus dedicated to thinkers from the Marche region and the cultural history of the region, from Ciriaco d'Ancona to Galeazzi himself.
- The Philosophical Debate: dialectical confrontations between high school students from the province.
- Photography Exhibition: a collective exhibition inspired by the year's theme.
Venues
The festival is spread across some of the most beautiful and significant locations in Ancona: the Omero State Tactile Museum at the Mole Vanvitelliana, the Francesco Podesti Municipal Art Gallery, the Palazzo degli Anziani, the Magazzino Muse, and the "Giuliano Conti" Hall of the Faculty of Economics "Giorgio Fuà" at the Polytechnic University of Marche. This choice closely links the festival to the urban identity and artistic heritage of the capital.
Organizers
Since 2026, the event has been curated by the Associazione Pensiero Plurale ETS (Plural Thought Association), chaired by Marco Nocchi, with scientific coordination by Professor Antonio Luccarini and Giancarlo Galeazzi as honorary president. The festival is supported by the Municipality of Ancona, the Polytechnic University of Marche, the Marche Region, and the Italian Philosophical Society, Ancona section. Admission to all events is free until seats are filled.
Plural Thought — edition 2026
The 29th edition of the Festival of Plural Thought took place in Ancona from March 19 to June 4, 2026, dedicated to the theme "Happiness and Well-being". The festival offered a long calendar of events spread over the spring months, featuring conferences, lectio magistralis, book presentations, screenings, and debates among students. The sections "Philosophy School", "The Philosophical Library", "The Philosopher's Screen", "Philosophy and Territory", and "The Philosophical Debate" guided the audience through a rich and accessible journey. The collective photography exhibition inspired by the theme was also confirmed. The organization transitioned in 2026 to the Associazione Pensiero Plurale ETS, with scientific coordination by Antonio Luccarini.
Programme Plural Thought 2026
Main Conferences
- March 19, 6:00 PM — Vito Mancuso, "Beatitude and Moral Conscience".
- March 31, 6:00 PM — Carla Canullo, "Being (and) Well: The Challenge of Happiness".
- April 23, 5:00 PM — Umberto Curi, "Happiness in Ancient Greek Culture".
- May 20, 5:00 PM — Cesare Catà, "Psyche and Philosophical Courtship".
- June 1, 5:30 PM — Luca Pagliari, "The Extra Smile".
Philosophy and Territory
- April 10, 5:00 PM — Art Gallery: Giorgio Mangani, on geographical thought and the relationship between geography, culture, and local development.
The Philosophical Library
- April 11, 4:30 PM — Omero Museum: Paolo Ercolani presents "Nietzsche and the Hyperborean", in dialogue with Antonio Luccarini.
- April 18 — Magazzino Muse: Giustolisi and Palmieri.
- April 21, 5:00 PM — Palazzo degli Anziani: Diego Fusaro.
- May 17, 6:00 PM — Magazzino Muse: Antonella Galiè.
- May 27, 5:00 PM — Art Gallery: Father Alberto Maggi.
Other Activities
Collective photography exhibition curated by Toni Pierdomè (May 9-10) and the "Economics of Entertainment in International Relations" series with three lectio magistralis (March 26, May 7, June 4) at the Faculty of Economics.
Highlights Plural Thought 2026
Among the most anticipated moments were the inaugural conference by Vito Mancuso (March 19) and the talks by Umberto Curi on happiness in the ancient Greek world and by Diego Fusaro at the Philosophical Library.
Prices Plural Thought 2026
Practical information — Plural Thought
Where
The meetings take place in various venues in the center of Ancona (Marche): Omero Museum at the Mole Vanvitelliana, Podesti Art Gallery, Palazzo degli Anziani, Magazzino Muse, and the Faculty of Economics of the Polytechnic University of Marche.
How to get there
Ancona is well-connected by train (Ancona Centrale station) and by car via the A14 motorway, exit Ancona Nord or Ancona Sud. The festival venues are within walking distance in the city center.
Admission and reservations
Free admission until seats are filled. Reservations may be required for some events. Information: [email protected], tel. Patrizia 342 8340269 / Francesca 338 5809611.
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Where does it take place — Plural Thought
Museo Omero, Pinacoteca Podesti e altre sedi cittadine