Italian Esperanto Congress

The Congress of the International Language in the Heart of the Gargano

For over a century, the Italian Esperanto Congress has been the most significant appointment for the Esperantist community in our country. Every summer, the Italian Esperanto Federation organizes it in a different city, transforming it for a week into a small capital of the international language. In 2026, for its 92nd edition, the congress arrives for the first time in Vico del Gargano, in the municipality of the same name in the province of Foggia, in the heart of the Gargano region of Puglia.

The Theme of the 2026 Edition

The guiding thread chosen for Vico del Gargano is "Esperanto: A Language of Peace and Defense of Identities": a reflection on the role of the international language as a tool for intercultural dialogue and the protection of linguistic and cultural diversity. A theme that naturally resonates with the context of the Gargano, a land of ancient traditions, dialects, and communities that have successfully preserved their identity.

A Program of Language, Culture, and Entertainment

As per tradition, the congress alternates between study sessions and leisure activities throughout the week. The program includes:

• Seminars and conferences led by experts from the Esperanto movement, featuring lectures and debates;
• Esperanto courses for both beginners and advanced students;
• Exams of the Italian Esperanto Institute (IIE), the body that promotes the teaching of the language in Italy;
• Bookstore service featuring new publications in and about Esperanto;
• Evening concerts and theatrical performances in the international language;
• Excursions to discover Vico del Gargano and the surrounding promontory.

Among the guests for the 2026 edition, Lu Wunsch-Rolshoven, a leading figure in the international Esperanto movement, has been announced; he will share his expertise in communication and language planning.

Vico del Gargano, the Village Hosting the Congress

Vico del Gargano is one of the historic villages of the Gargano, counted among the most fascinating locations in the province of Foggia. A maze of medieval alleys, the famous "Vicolo del Bacio" (Alley of the Kiss), the tradition of Saint Valentine, and its proximity to the sea and the Foresta Umbra make it an ideal setting for a cultural event in late August. The choice of a Puglian village, supported by the Municipality of Vico del Gargano and the local Pro Loco, combines the international vocation of the congress with the promotion of the territory.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Italian Esperanto Federation, the association that has brought together and coordinated Italian Esperantists since 1910, with the patronage of the Municipality of Vico del Gargano and the Pro Loco. The congress is open to both experienced Esperantists and those approaching the language for the first time, as well as international participants from various countries.