Fol in Fest
The travelling festival of the Piacenza Apennines, between music, walks, and mountain culture
About Fol in Fest
A travelling festival in the Piacenza mountains
Fol in Fest is a widespread cultural event that, over five July days, crosses the mountain municipalities of the Apennines in the Province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna. The event involves four promoting Municipalities — Alta Val Tidone (lead), Ferriere, Morfasso, and Ottone — offering a programme that moves from village to village, from Val Tidone to Alta Val Nure. In Ferriere, the heart of the upper Nure valley, events often take place in the evocative Piazza delle Miniere.
Culture, mountains, and special guests
Conceived to give voice and future to the Apennine lands, Fol in Fest combines entertainment and reflection: concerts, theatrical recitals, book presentations, meetings with journalists and intellectuals, and guided walks through woods and ridges. The festival is directed by artistic director Massimo Polledri and organised by the Associazione Novecento, with the support of the Municipalities and numerous institutional patrons. Past editions have featured guests such as Alessandro Preziosi, the band Le Orme, Gianluigi Paragone, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, and the writer-photographer Emiliano Cribari.
The 2026 theme: the mountain between Paradise and Hell
The fifth edition, scheduled for July 2026, chooses a theme inspired by Dante: "Training for the Ascent. The Mountain between Paradise and Hell." An invitation to interpret the mountain as a symbolic category — the ascent as effort, freedom, and responsibility — and the Apennine villages as places of possible transformation and rebirth. A call for entries is also linked to this edition, aimed at university and high school students, with literary works on the theme and cash prizes.
An event to discover the Apennines
- A widespread festival across four municipalities in the Piacenza Apennines
- Five days of concerts, shows, walks, and meetings
- Guided excursions through the woods and ridges of Alta Val Nure and Val Tidone
- Free admission to most events
More than just a series of events, Fol in Fest is a cultural project that showcases and revitalises the mountain villages, accompanying residents and visitors in discovering a vibrant and welcoming Apennine region.
Fol in Fest — edition 2026
Fol in Fest 2026 — The Fifth Edition
The fifth edition of Fol in Fest will take place in July 2026 in the municipalities of Alta Val Tidone (lead), Ferriere, Morfasso, and Ottone, in the Piacenza Apennines. Artistic director Massimo Polledri has presented this year's theme: "Training for the Ascent. The Mountain between Paradise and Hell," which blends Dantesque references with reflections on the mountain as a place of effort, freedom, and rebirth.
A call for entries is also linked to the 2026 edition, aimed at university and high school students, with literary works on the theme (prizes of 1,000 and 500 euros). As in previous editions, the programme will feature a mix of concerts, theatrical performances, book presentations, meetings with journalists and intellectuals, and guided excursions through the mountain villages.
The detailed programme, including dates for individual events, guests, and locations, will be announced on the official website in the months leading up to the festival.
Programme Fol in Fest 2026
The detailed programme for the fifth edition, including the guest lineup, times, and locations of individual events, will be announced on the official website in the months preceding the festival.
As is tradition, the festival will span five days across four municipalities in the Piacenza Apennines, with a structure that alternates:
- Evening concerts in the village squares (often in Piazza delle Miniere in Ferriere);
- Theatrical performances and recitals;
- Meetings and book presentations with journalists, writers, and intellectuals;
- Guided walks and excursions through the woods and ridges of Alta Val Nure and Val Tidone.
The theme of the edition is "Training for the Ascent. The Mountain between Paradise and Hell."
Highlights Fol in Fest 2026
Dantesque theme of the edition: "Training for the Ascent. The Mountain between Paradise and Hell." Literary competition for university and high school students with cash prizes. A widespread festival across four mountain municipalities featuring concerts, walks, and meetings.
Prices Fol in Fest 2026
Practical information — Fol in Fest
How to get there
Ferriere is located in the upper Nure valley, in the Piacenza Apennines. By car from Piacenza, take the SS654 of Val Nure (approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes). The other festival villages (Alta Val Tidone, Morfasso, Ottone) are reachable via the provincial roads of the Piacenza mountains; driving is recommended, given the travelling nature of the event.
Tickets
Most events are free to enter. For some activities (guided walks, author lunches), booking may be required. The programme and participation details are published on the official website.
Tips
For excursions, trekking shoes, water, and appropriate mountain clothing are recommended. As this is a travelling festival, it's advisable to check which municipality is hosting each event.
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Where does it take place — Fol in Fest
Piazza delle Miniere