Immagina Festival

A festival dedicated to illustrated stories

Immagina Festival is the event that transforms the Ex Cavallerizza in Lucca into a vast space dedicated to visual publishing and illustrated stories every summer. Promoted by the Immagina ODV association, the event stands out for its unique approach: it is not a trade fair or a market, but a place to rediscover the power of images, regardless of your age. Each year, the main exhibition gathers over one hundred titles selected based on the year's theme, ranging from picture books and photography books to editorial projects from around the globe.

The theme: the useless

The festival has made the concept of the useless its hallmark. In a time when every reality seems to need to justify its own utility—especially economic—to exist, Immagina proudly claims to be an end in itself. The "Immagina l'inutile" (Imagine the useless) exhibition, inspired by Nuccio Ordine's reflections on the utility of free and disinterested knowledge, showcases over one hundred works that invite you to slow down, observe, and be surprised by beauty that serves no practical purpose, and is precious precisely for that reason.

Exhibitions, meetings, and workshops

During the festival, the Ex Cavallerizza spaces host a dense program of meetings and workshops that alternate throughout the three days, alongside the main themed exhibition. Activities are curated by the organization and invited guests: illustrators, photographers, authors, artists, and collectives who bring the festival to life with talks, workshops, and discussions. Everything takes place in a welcoming and accessible environment, designed primarily for adults and young adults, but also open to families and children.

Lucca, a city of art and festivals

The setting is Lucca, a walled city in Tuscany famous for its Renaissance walls and its vibrant season of cultural events that take place all year round. The Ex Cavallerizza, located in Piazzale Verdi within the historic center, is a spacious and bright exhibition venue nestled in the greenery of the walls, easily reachable on foot from both the train station and the main city parking lots.

Free admission, no booking required

One of the hallmarks of Immagina is that it is completely free: the exhibition, all events, meetings, and workshops are always free and do not require booking. The structure and activities are designed to be accessible to everyone, in line with the inclusive spirit of the event. It has become a staple of the Lucca summer, capable of combining editorial quality, artistic research, and a deeply communal atmosphere.