John Fante Festival «Il dio di mio padre»
The international literary festival dedicated to Italian-American writer John Fante, held in the Abruzzo village of his roots.
About John Fante Festival
A literary festival in the heart of Abruzzo
The John Fante Festival «Il dio di mio padre» is the cultural event that transforms Torricella Peligna, a small village in the province of Chieti on the slopes of the Majella, into the capital of Italian-American literature every summer. The festival is dedicated to John Fante (1909-1983), one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, author of novels such as Ask the Dust and the Bandini family saga. His bond with this Abruzzo town is profound: the writer's father, Nicola Fante, emigrated to the United States from Torricella Peligna, and these roots run through Fante's entire body of work.
A rich program of meetings and culture
For four days, the village comes alive with a multidisciplinary program that weaves together words, images, and music. Traditional highlights include:
- Meetings and presentations with prominent writers, journalists, and intellectuals;
- Public readings of John Fante's texts and lectio magistralis;
- Film screenings and documentaries related to the writer's life and work;
- Evening concerts in Piazza Unità d'Italia and other festival venues;
- The «Fante walk» through the places that inspired the writer, and an open-air painting event.
The main venues are the Municipal Pine Forest, the John Fante Media Library, the hamlet of Fallascoso, and Piazza Unità d'Italia.
The John Fante Opera Prima Literary Prize
At the heart of the festival is the John Fante Opera Prima Literary Prize, which annually awards the best debut novel or short story collection in Italian fiction. The selection process involves university reading groups (from the «Gabriele d'Annunzio» University of Chieti-Pescara, the University of Rome «Tor Vergata», and the University of Teramo), a jury of experts, and a popular jury. The prize is divided into several sections, including Opera Prima Abruzzo, Opera Prima Cinema, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the «Roots in the World» recognition, dedicated to the themes of emigration and border identities.
An international event in Abruzzo
Founded in 2006, the John Fante Festival has grown into a landmark event in the Abruzzo cultural landscape and is one of the few Italian festivals entirely dedicated to an Italian-American writer. Organized by the Municipality of Torricella Peligna, it attracts readers, authors, and scholars from all over Italy and abroad every year, including descendants of the Fante family. Admission to all events is free.
John Fante Festival — edition 2026
John Fante Festival 2026 — 21st edition
The twenty-first edition of the festival, scheduled in Torricella Peligna from August 20 to 23, 2026, revolves around the theme of vulnerability, a common thread running through all of John Fante's work and his vision of existence. Admission to all events remains free for 2026.
The 2026 John Fante Opera Prima Prize
The winner will be announced on Saturday, August 22. The three selected finalist works are:
- Piombo e latte by Luca Mastrantonio (Bompiani);
- Guance bianche e rosse by Elisa Menon (Einaudi);
- Latte by Marina Zucchelli (Rizzoli).
The expert jury is chaired by Marino Sinibaldi and includes Carola Carulli, Remo Rapino, and Marta Aidala, winner of the previous edition. The pre-selection is entrusted to five reading groups from the «Gabriele d'Annunzio» University of Chieti-Pescara, the University of Rome «Tor Vergata», and the University of Teramo.
Writing Residency
From August 18 to 23, 2026, the writing residency «Reading John Fante to write better» will be held with Giaime Maccioni and Francesco Trento, along with the screening of the documentary «John Fante. Profilo di uno scrittore» by Giovanna Di Lello. The full program of guests and evening events will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Programme John Fante Festival 2026
Torricella Peligna, August 20-23, 2026 — 21st edition «Il dio di mio padre». Theme of the year: vulnerability.
- 2026 John Fante Opera Prima Prize — winner announcement on Saturday, August 22. Finalists: Piombo e latte by Luca Mastrantonio (Bompiani), Guance bianche e rosse by Elisa Menon (Einaudi), Latte by Marina Zucchelli (Rizzoli).
- Expert jury chaired by Marino Sinibaldi (with Carola Carulli, Remo Rapino, Marta Aidala).
- Writing residency «Reading John Fante to write better» (August 18-23) with Giaime Maccioni and Francesco Trento.
- Screening of the documentary «John Fante. Profilo di uno scrittore» by Giovanna Di Lello.
- Meetings with authors, readings, music, and the traditional «Fante walk». Evening program to be finalized.
Highlights John Fante Festival 2026
- 21st edition, theme «vulnerability»
- Opera Prima Prize: announcement on Saturday, August 22
- Finalists: Mastrantonio, Menon, Zucchelli
- Writing residency August 18-23
- Free admission
Prices John Fante Festival 2026
Practical information — John Fante Festival
Getting there
Torricella Peligna is located in the province of Chieti, on the eastern slopes of the Majella. By car, the nearest motorway exits are on the A25 (Torre de' Passeri) or the A14 (Val di Sangro), followed by internal provincial roads. The reference railway stations are Chieti or Sulmona, with onward travel by bus or car.
Admission
All festival events are free of charge, subject to availability. No reservation is required for most appointments.
Tips
The festival takes place in mid-August: it is advisable to book accommodation in the surrounding villages (Torricella Peligna, Casoli, Fara San Martino) well in advance. Bring comfortable clothing for the «Fante walk» and for moving between the various venues.
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Where does it take place — John Fante Festival
Pineta comunale e Mediateca John Fante