Frag.Menti Book Festival

A literary festival in the heart of the Salento area of Taranto

The Frag.Menti Book Festival is a celebration dedicated to books and reading that enlivens the summer evenings of Fragagnano, a small town in the province of Taranto, Puglia. Established in 2023 on the initiative of the Pro Loco of Fragagnano APS, with the support of the Fragagnano Department of Culture and in partnership with the Umbrian publishing house Bertoni, the festival has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated cultural events on the local calendar.

The meaning behind the name

The name Frag.Menti plays with the town's identity: FRAG refers to Fragagnano, while MENTI (minds) highlights the creativity and activity of the human mind. A title that encapsulates the festival's mission: to promote local authors and raise awareness of the importance of reading throughout the community, in a celebration conceived as a "polyphony of voices" thanks to the wealth of stories and testimonies shared throughout the evenings.

Local authors and national guests

The program alternates the voices of Fragagnano and Apulian writers with those of guests of national standing. In past editions, the festival has hosted established journalists and authors, including journalist and writer Antonio Caprarica, who was a guest in 2024 with his book La fine dell'Inghilterra. Un paese smarrito, un trono vacillante (Sperling & Kupfer), in conversation with writer and journalist Tiziana Grassi. The meetings are often enriched by literary aperitifs, discussions with publishers, and presentations of debut works.

Where it takes place

The evenings are held outdoors in the square adjacent to the town hall, on Viale Virgilio, the civic heart of Fragagnano. The open-air setting, typical of Salento summers, transforms book presentations into a community event where residents and visitors meet after sunset to listen, converse, and discover new readings.

A community project

Behind the Frag.Menti Book Festival is the work of the Pro Loco of Fragagnano APS, an association dedicated to preserving the town's culture and traditions, which promotes numerous cultural initiatives throughout the year. Collaboration with local bookstores, such as the Ubik Bookstore in Manduria, and independent publishers makes the festival a bridge between the small towns of the Taranto province and the broader Italian publishing landscape. Admission to all events is free.