festivalfilosofia
Three days of widespread thought in the squares and courtyards of Modena
About festivalfilosofia
The festival that makes an entire city think
festivalfilosofia is much more than a conference series: it is the event that, every year in mid-September, transforms Modena into a single large open-air classroom. Founded in 2001 on the initiative of Michelina Borsari, it is now among the most attended philosophy events in Europe, with over 150,000 attendees over the three days. Everything is free, accessible, and spread throughout the most beautiful spaces of the city.
Modena, heart of the festival
In Modena, the capital of the province of the same name in Emilia-Romagna, the festival animates the monumental heart of the city: Piazza Grande, a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Cathedral and the Ghirlandina tower, but also Piazza Roma in front of the Ducal Palace, Largo Sant'Agostino, and the courtyards of the Palazzo dei Musei. From here, the event also extends to Carpi and Sassuolo, creating a single, large shared intellectual journey among the three cities of Modena.
How the festival works
The core of the event consists of masterclasses: over fifty talks given by leading figures in Italian and international philosophy and culture, each dedicated to a different interpretation of the year's theme. These are complemented by a rich creative program, which in Modena includes almost two hundred events:
- Exhibitions and installations in museums, galleries, and historic buildings
- Live shows and concerts in the city squares
- Games and workshops for children, teenagers, and families
- Themed films and screenings
- The famous philosophical dinners, special menus served in participating restaurants and inspired by the word of the year
A different word every year
Each edition of festivalfilosofia revolves around a single keyword, chosen to interpret the present through the tools of thought. After "Paideia" in 2025, the 26th edition in 2026 is dedicated to "Chaos", explored not only as disorder and destruction, but also as a generative principle: a force capable of opening new possibilities for thought and change in the face of the environmental, political, scientific, and technological crises of our time.
Why visit Modena
Participating in festivalfilosofia in Modena means experiencing philosophy in a concrete and popular way: you can move from a lecture in Piazza Grande to an exhibition in a historic palace, from a children's workshop to a themed dinner. It is an experience that combines high-level dissemination, conviviality, and discovery of Modena's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and which every September attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over Italy to the Emilia-Romagna city.
festivalfilosofia — edition 2026
festivalfilosofia 2026 in Modena: "Chaos"
The 26th edition of festivalfilosofia, scheduled in Modena from September 18 to 20, 2026, is dedicated to the word "Chaos". The theme will be explored in all its transformations: from disorder as a threat to chaos as a creative force, from the complex systems of science to the social and political turbulences of the present.
As every year, the Modena program includes nearly two hundred events, with over fifty masterclasses entrusted to leading figures in philosophical thought, alongside exhibitions, shows, concerts, workshops for children, films, and the famous philosophical dinners. All events have free admission.
Programme festivalfilosofia 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including the names of the speakers for the masterclasses and the complete calendar of exhibitions and shows, is traditionally announced in the weeks preceding the event and published on the official website festivalfilosofia.it.
The established structure of the three-day event in Modena includes:
- Masterclasses — over fifty talks by Italian and international philosophers and scholars in the squares and courtyards of Modena, each dedicated to a facet of the theme "Chaos".
- Exhibitions and installations in the city's museums and historic palaces.
- Live shows, concerts, and screenings in the city squares.
- Philosophical games and workshops for children, teenagers, and families.
- Philosophical dinners in participating restaurants, with menus inspired by the word of the year.
The main venues in Modena involved are Piazza Grande (UNESCO heritage), Piazza Roma, Largo Sant'Agostino, and the courtyards of the Palazzo dei Musei.
Highlights festivalfilosofia 2026
Prices festivalfilosofia 2026
Practical information — festivalfilosofia
How to get there
Modena is well-connected by train: the station is on the Milan-Bologna line and is served by high-speed trains at a short distance (Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana). By car, take the Modena Nord or Modena Sud exit on the A1 motorway. The historic centre, where much of the festival takes place, is entirely pedestrianized and can be reached on foot from the station in about fifteen minutes.
Admission and tickets
Admission to all festival events (masterclasses, exhibitions, shows, workshops) is completely free and open, subject to availability.
Practical advice
For the most anticipated masterclasses, it is advisable to arrive well in advance: the squares fill up quickly. It is recommended to consult the full program on the official website to organize travel between Modena, Carpi, and Sassuolo, which are connected by a shuttle service during the festival days. Philosophical dinners require reservations at participating restaurants.
Information
Consorzio per il festivalfilosofia, tel. +39 059 2033382, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — festivalfilosofia
Piazza Grande e centro storico di Modena
Piazza Grande, 41121 Modena