International Poetry Festival Europe in Verses
Three days of international poetry on Lake Como
About Europe in Verses
Como: The Capital of Poetry for a Weekend
Every spring, the International Poetry Festival Europe in Verses transforms Como into a crossroads of poetic voices from across Europe and the world. Organized by the La Casa della Poesia di Como ODV Association and directed by the poet Laura Garavaglia, the festival offers three days of readings, dialogues between poets, meetings with literary critics, and discussions on contemporary poetry.
A Different Theme Each Year
Each edition revolves around a central theme that places poetry in dialogue with another field of human experience. The festival hosts international guests—poets, university professors, translators—who bring the diversity of European and non-European languages and literary traditions to Como, alongside leading voices in Italian poetry.
The International Poetry Prize
At the heart of the festival is the International Poetry Prize Europe in Verses, an award that recognizes contemporary authors. The award ceremony is one of the event's central moments, alongside the itinerant readings and "poetic walks" that take verses beyond the halls and into the symbolic locations of the Larian city.
Poetry and the Territory
Included in the cultural calendar of the Municipality of Como, the capital of the Province of Como in Lombardy, the festival involves historic villas, cultural spaces, and outdoor locations, weaving poetic language with the lake landscape. An event that has made Como a reference point for international poetry in Italy.
Europe in Verses — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the sixteenth, has the theme "The Aura of the Game: Open-Field Poems" and proposes a dialogue between sport and poetry, united by discipline, rhythm, and the pursuit of a goal. International guests include: Emmanuelle Malhappe (France, Sorbonne Nouvelle), Pál Dániel Levente (Hungary, Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest), and Laura Hernández Muñoz (Mexico). Italian guests include Milo De Angelis, Mario Santagostini, Marco Corsi, Vincenzo Guarracino, and critic Roberto Galaverni. The festival also includes the 11th edition of the International Poetry Prize.
Programme Europe in Verses 2026
Sunday, May 10 — "Magnanimous Champion"
- 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM — itinerant reading led by Pietro Berra, starting from the Hangar of the Aeroclub in Viale Puecher: a "poetic walk" with readings by guests on the theme of sport.
Guests of the Edition
- International: Emmanuelle Malhappe (France), Pál Dániel Levente (Hungary), Laura Hernández Muñoz (Mexico)
- Italian: Milo De Angelis, Mario Santagostini, Marco Corsi, Vincenzo Guarracino, Kamil Sanders, with the participation of critics Roberto Galaverni and Gianmarco Gaspari
During the three days, the 11th edition of the International Poetry Prize Europe in Verses will be awarded. The detailed schedule is published on the official website europainversi.org.
The concluding itinerant reading "Magnanimous Champion" led by Pietro Berra, the presence of Milo De Angelis and international guests, and the awarding of the International Poetry Prize.
Highlights Europe in Verses 2026
Prices Europe in Verses 2026
Practical information — Europe in Verses
When
From May 8 to 10, 2026.
Where
Various cultural venues in Como; the final reading on Sunday starts from the Hangar of the Aeroclub in Viale Puecher.
Admission
Festival meetings are generally free to attend. Updated information at europainversi.org.
How to get there
Como is reachable by train (Como San Giovanni and Como Nord Lago) and by car from the A9 motorway.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Europe in Verses
Como (varie sedi)