InChiostri
The festival of independent publishing and illustration in the cloisters of Recanati
About InChiostri
A festival of books, images, and artisanal knowledge
InChiostri is the cultural festival that brings the world of independent publishing, illustration, and book-related creative craftsmanship to Recanati, in the heart of the Province of Macerata and the Marche region. Conceived and promoted by Giaconi Editore, an independent publishing house with a local bookstore, the festival chooses the evocative cloisters of the historic center of Giacomo Leopardi's city as its stage, coinciding with World Poetry Day.
The venues: the cloisters of the Leopardi city
The heart of the event are three historic spaces in Recanati that, for the occasion, become meeting places for words and images:
- Cloister of Sant'Agostino, the main venue of the festival;
- Palazzo Venieri, with its cloister, hosting presentations and literary encounters;
- World Center of Poetry, evoking the city's poetic vocation.
The choice of the cloisters is not accidental: it makes the festival's name a play on words between the 'ink' (inchiostro) of writing and the 'in-cloisters' (in-chiostri) where everything happens.
What to find at InChiostri
The program combines various languages of book culture:
- book presentations and meetings with authors and illustrators;
- exhibitions of illustration and visual arts spread throughout the historic center;
- creative workshops for adults and children, focusing on natural inks, calligraphy, natural colors, illustration, and printing;
- screenings of animated short films and poetry readings;
- a market dedicated to independent publishing, illustration, and craftsmanship, with selected exhibitors;
- a festival bookstore curated by local bookstores.
A new event for the Marche region
Launched in 2026 with a first edition that was warmly received, InChiostri aims to become a regular fixture on the cultural scene of the Marche region, capable of uniting quality small and medium-sized publishers, the world of illustration, and an audience of readers and the curious. The event is supported by the Municipality of Recanati and the Fondazione Marche Cultura, and serves as a showcase for independent publishers and creatives in one of Italy's cultural landmarks.
InChiostri — edition 2026
The first edition of InChiostri
The debut of InChiostri transformed Recanati into a small capital of independent publishing and illustration. In the three historic cloisters and various spaces in the center, over thirty free events took place, preceded by three preview events (the "FuoriChiostri"), with a great public response: full cloisters and sold-out workshops.
Among the guests were the writer Fabio Bacà , a finalist for the Campiello and Strega awards, the Marche-based author Giulia Ciarapica with her novel "Chi dà luce rischia il buio" (Rizzoli), the multi-award-winning animator Simone Massi, and the poet Maddalena Albiero. The program included book presentations, scattered exhibitions, animated short film screenings, poetry readings, and six creative workshops. Completing the event was a market with fourteen selected exhibitors including illustrators, artisans, and bookbinders.
Programme InChiostri 2026
Preview — Thursday, March 19
- "FuoriChiostri" events to introduce the festival, with presentation meetings in the historic center.
Saturday, March 21
- Opening of the independent publishing and illustration market (14 exhibitors) in the cloisters.
- Author presentations: including Fabio Bacà ("L'era dell'Acquario", Adelphi).
- 6:00 PM — Palazzo Venieri: meeting with Giulia Ciarapica about her Marche novel "Chi dà luce rischia il buio" (Rizzoli).
- Creative workshops (natural inks, calligraphy, natural colors, illustration, character creation, gel press printing) for adults and children.
- Illustration and visual arts exhibitions spread throughout the historic center; screenings of animated short films.
Sunday, March 22
- 10:30 AM — Palazzo Venieri: "Nel borgo, la poesia" with Maddalena Albiero.
- Meeting with animator Simone Massi and screening of his animated shorts.
- Continuation of the market, workshops, and exhibitions in the cloisters of Sant'Agostino, Palazzo Venieri, and the World Center of Poetry.
- Poetry readings and concluding meetings.
Seven exhibitions set up in various parts of the historic center accompanied the entire duration of the festival.
Highlights InChiostri 2026
Prices InChiostri 2026
Practical information — InChiostri
Where
InChiostri takes place in the historic center of Recanati (MC), between the Cloister of Sant'Agostino, Palazzo Venieri, and the World Center of Poetry, all within walking distance.
How to get here
By car: from the A14 motorway, take the Loreto-Porto Recanati exit, then follow signs for Recanati. By train: Recanati-Loreto station (Adriatic line), with bus connections to the center. Nearest airport: Ancona-Falconara.
Admission
Events are free; some workshops may require booking due to limited capacity.
Tips
Recanati is worth visiting beyond the festival: Leopardi's House, the Colle dell'Infinito (Mount of Infinity), and the Beniamino Gigli Museum are easily reachable on foot from the center.
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Where does it take place — InChiostri
Chiostri del centro storico di Recanati
Chiostro di Sant'Agostino, 62019 Recanati