Il Federiciano Poetry Festival

The festival that makes Augusta the 'Village of Poetry'

The Il Federiciano Poetry Festival is the major event accompanying the awards ceremony for the 'Il Federiciano' International Unpublished Poetry Prize, one of Italy's most popular literary competitions, conceived and organized by the publishing house Aletti Editore. Since 2023, the festival has found its home in Augusta, a city in the province of Syracuse overlooking the Ionian Sea, which has earned the title of 'Village of Poetry' thanks to this event.

For a few days at the end of summer, the historic center of Augusta becomes a sprawling stage: its Baroque squares—Piazza Duomo, Piazza D'Astorga, and Piazza Castello—welcome thousands of poets from all over Italy and abroad, who gather to read their verses, participate in impromptu writing sessions, and attend the awards ceremonies.

Verses that become eternal

The most evocative feature of Il Federiciano is its motto: 'The only competition that grants eternity.' The winning poems are reproduced on handcrafted ceramic steles and placed along the streets and walls of the historic center, in the so-called 'Largo dei Poeti Federiciani'. Thus, the city is enriched every year with new verses etched in majolica, creating a permanent poetic trail that visitors can discover while strolling through the alleys.

Poetry, music, and special guests

The festival is not just about literature: each edition is marked by concerts, meetings, and guests from the world of entertainment. Over the years, prominent artists and personalities have participated, and the festival alternates moments of literary reflection with popular evening events in the city squares. The impromptu poetry sessions, where authors compose texts based on common themes while walking through the streets of Augusta, have become a favorite activity for participants.

An event for Augusta and Sicily

Supported by the Municipality of Augusta, Il Federiciano has become a defining event for the city and the entire eastern Sicily region: it attracts thousands of visitors, enhances the Baroque heritage of the historic center, and fosters a dialogue between poetic tradition and cultural tourism. For those who love words, it is a unique opportunity to experience an entire city transformed into a giant open-air book.