Il Fiume e la Memoria
The theatre and culture festival bringing Pescara's riverside to life this summer
About Il Fiume e la Memoria
Il Fiume e la Memoria: theatre and culture on the Pescara riverside
Il Fiume e la Memoria is one of the most deeply rooted cultural events of the summer in Pescara, Abruzzo. Established in the late nineties, the festival has grown into a benchmark for live theatre and culture in the Adriatic capital. Promoted by the Pescara City Council's Department of Culture, the event brings shows, recitals, book presentations, and meetings to the city's most evocative spots every July, from the historic centre to the riverside, where the Pescara river flows into the Adriatic.
A widespread stage in the heart of the city
The festival's format is that of 'widespread theatre': performances are not concentrated in a single venue but inhabit various corners of Pescara. The headquarters is Largo dei Frentani, but the event also involves the courtyard of Casa d'Annunzio, Piazza Garibaldi, the Giardino Tommolini-Scassa, and the southern riverbank near the Porto Antico. This itinerant dimension allows the public to rediscover the city through theatre, in a continuous dialogue between performance, urban memory, and the river landscape.
The artistic direction of Milo Vallone
The soul and creator of the festival is actor and director Milo Vallone, who serves as its artistic director. Under his guidance, the festival has built a high-quality programme capable of intertwining big names from Italian theatre and television with original local productions. Each edition revolves around a theme that gives unity to the bill, featuring national premieres, co-productions, and regional exclusives.
Between memory, literature, and great performers
Il Fiume e la Memoria is not just theatre: the festival dedicates ample space to literature, with book presentations and literary aperitifs, and to music, with concerts and recitals. The connection with the city's memory and the figures who have shaped its history and culture is the common thread that accompanies the audience year after year, in a programme designed for all ages and a wide public.
An event for the city of Pescara and Abruzzo
Included in the summer calendar of the Municipality of Pescara and the Province of Pescara, in Abruzzo, the festival represents a fixed appointment for residents and tourists who, on July evenings, seek culture and open-air entertainment. The shows generally take place in the evening, when the river breeze and the sunset light frame the performances on the riverside.
Il Fiume e la Memoria — edition 2026
Il Fiume e la Memoria 2026: "Extraordinary Lives"
The twenty-fourth edition of the festival, scheduled in Pescara from 13 to 19 July 2026, revolves around the theme of "Extraordinary Lives": men and women distant in time but united by their ability to leave a deep mark on collective memory. Eight events, including two direct productions, three co-productions, three national premieres, and three regional exclusives, animate Largo dei Frentani, the historic centre, and the riverside.
The day-by-day programme
- 13 July, 9:15 PM – "Le Case dei Santi", recital and book presentation on the churches of Pescara, with Mila Cantagallo, Marco Felicioni, Claudia D'Antonio, and Federico Colalongo.
- 14 July, 9:15 PM – "Casanova" by David Norisco, with Lorenzo Flaherty and Martina Marinelli, directed by Francesco Branchetti (regional exclusive).
- 15 July, 9:15 PM – "Pescara 1566 – the battle of the Aternum", with Pino Petraccia and the percussion of MatarMbaje, directed by Lorenzo Valori (national premiere).
- 16 July, 9:15 PM – "L'eco dei talenti", itinerant widespread theatre with the Indaco Teatro Giovani company, directed by Federica Vicino, dedicated to figures such as Pirandello, Saint Francis, Dario Fo, Freddie Mercury, Grazia Deledda, David Bowie, Collodi, and Marilyn Monroe.
- 17 July, 9:15 PM – "L'arte della parola – d'Annunzio communicator", presentation of the volume on Gabriele d'Annunzio.
- 18 July, 7:30 PM – "Literary Aperitif" with the presentation of the book "Anna Tosti e Giorgio Ciampoli – Quali Ricordi".
- 18 July, 9:15 PM – "Donne", with Simona Cavallari and pianist Samanta Chiefallo (regional exclusive), dedicated to figures such as Gabriella Ferri and Rosa Balistreri.
- 19 July, 7:30 PM – "Caro Flaiano", recital by Milo Vallone dedicated to Ennio Flaiano, with Vincenzo De Ritis on the accordion.
A bill of theatre, music, and memory
The 2026 edition, presented by the Municipality of Pescara with Mayor Carlo Masci and Councillor for Culture Maria Rita Carota, confirms the festival's vocation to intertwine great performers, local productions, and the rediscovery of city memory in the most evocative spaces of the Adriatic capital of Abruzzo.
Programme Il Fiume e la Memoria 2026
Highlights Il Fiume e la Memoria 2026
Prices Il Fiume e la Memoria 2026
Practical information — Il Fiume e la Memoria
How to get there
Pescara is well-connected: the motorway exits are Pescara Ovest or Pescara Est (A14/A25). Pescara Centrale station is just a few minutes from the historic centre and the riverside. The Abruzzo Airport of Pescara is located a short distance from the city centre.
Where it takes place
The events are held at Largo dei Frentani, in the historic centre, at the courtyard of Casa d'Annunzio, in Piazza Garibaldi, at the Giardino Tommolini-Scassa, and on the riverside near the Porto Antico. Shows generally start at 9:15 PM.
Admission
As this is a festival promoted by the Municipality of Pescara, the shows take place in the city's public spaces. For updated times, any reservations, and programme details, it is recommended to consult the official website and the festival's social media channels.
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Where does it take place — Il Fiume e la Memoria
Largo dei Frentani e centro storico
Largo dei Frentani, 65122 Pescara