Internazionale a Ferrara
The journalism festival of the magazine Internazionale, three days of meetings with journalists from all over the world
About Internazionale a Ferrara
A weekend with journalists from all over the world
Every autumn, Internazionale a Ferrara draws tens of thousands of people to the heart of the Este city for three days of journalism, current affairs, and culture. The 2025 edition recorded 79,000 attendees with over 180 guests from 25 countries: numbers that make the festival one of the most followed cultural events in Emilia-Romagna and Italy. The event is organized by the magazine Internazionale together with the Municipality of Ferrara, Arci Ferrara, and the Associazione IF.
What's happening in the city
For a weekend, the historic center of Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, becomes a large space for discussion. The program intertwines various sections:
- Protagonists: meetings with international journalists, writers, and activists, the heart of the festival.
- Workshops: labs on journalism, writing, comics, and literature.
- Internazionale Kids: activities and events designed for children.
- Fuoriclasse: events dedicated to teenagers aged 14 to 19.
- Mondovisioni: the documentary series on current affairs, conflicts, and human rights.
- Mondoascolti: the audio-documentary series.
The festival spaces
The events take place in some of the most beautiful locations in Ferrara: the Claudio Abbado Municipal Theater, the Apollo Cinema, the former Verdi Theater, as well as libraries, historic palaces, and squares. The information point and the festival stand are located in Piazza Trento e Trieste, in front of the Cathedral, while the entire city fills with the public moving on foot and by bicycle, as is the Ferrara tradition.
A festival open to everyone
The festival's philosophy is one of free access: the vast majority of meetings are free and the spaces are free of architectural barriers. Over the years, leading figures in global journalism and culture have passed through Ferrara, from war reporters to Nobel laureates, from cartoonists to writers, in a constant dialogue between news, rights, the environment, and society. A unique opportunity, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, to understand the world through those who report on it.
Internazionale a Ferrara — edition 2026
After the 79,000 attendees in 2025, Internazionale a Ferrara returns from October 2 to 4, 2026 for its twentieth edition. The festival, promoted by the magazine Internazionale with the Municipality of Ferrara, Arci Ferrara, and the Associazione IF, confirms its established format: meetings with international journalists, writers, and activists, book presentations, exhibitions, the Mondovisioni documentary series, the Mondoascolti audio-documentary series, workshops, and sections dedicated to younger audiences (Internazionale Kids and Fuoriclasse).
Programme Internazionale a Ferrara 2026
The 2026 dates (October 2-4) have been confirmed by the organizers. The detailed program for the edition, with the complete list of guests, meetings, and schedules, will be published on the official website internazionale.it/festival in the weeks leading up to the festival (generally between summer and early autumn).
The usual structure, as documented by previous editions, includes:
- Protagonists — meetings with journalists, writers, and activists from around the world, in the main venues of the city center (Claudio Abbado Municipal Theater, Apollo Cinema, former Verdi Theater).
- Workshops — labs on journalism, writing, comics, and literature.
- Mondovisioni — documentary series on current affairs and human rights (paid ticket).
- Mondoascolti — audio-documentary series.
- Internazionale Kids and Fuoriclasse — programs dedicated to children and teenagers.
Highlights Internazionale a Ferrara 2026
The twentieth edition of a festival that in 2025 brought together over 180 guests from 25 countries. Three days in the UNESCO historic center of Ferrara, with most meetings free and accessible. The guests for the 2026 edition will be announced on the official website.
Prices Internazionale a Ferrara 2026
Practical information — Internazionale a Ferrara
How to get there
Ferrara is well-connected by train (station on the Bologna-Padua-Venice line, about 30 minutes from Bologna). The historic center is entirely pedestrian or bicycle-friendly: the bicycle is the ideal means of transport between the different festival venues.
Tickets and access
Most meetings are free and do not require booking. Access to the Municipal Theater, Apollo Cinema, and former Verdi Theater requires picking up a free ticket at the festival stand in Piazza Trento e Trieste. The Mondovisioni documentary series requires a paid ticket (5 euros).
Information
Information point at Piazza Trento e Trieste, 44121 Ferrara. Phone +39 0532 241419, email [email protected]. Full program at internazionale.it/festival.
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Where does it take place — Internazionale a Ferrara
Teatro Comunale Claudio Abbado e spazi del centro storico
Piazza Trento e Trieste, 44121 Ferrara