La civetta sul pozzo
Literary festival in the cloister of the Dominican Convent in Sternatia
About La civetta sul pozzo
A literary festival in the heart of Grecìa Salentina
La civetta sul pozzo is the summer literary festival of the Municipality of Sternatia, a small town in the Grecìa Salentina area in the province of Lecce, a land that still preserves the ancient Grika language. Promoted and organized by the Municipal Administration of Sternatia, the event brings a series of evenings to the town dedicated to books, authors, and stories that deserve to be told and shared with the community.
The setting: the cloister of the Dominican Convent
The heart of the festival is the cloister of the Dominican Convent, one of the most evocative corners of Sternatia, often referred to as the town's "fine parlor." In this intimate and quiet setting, the presentations take on a personal and engaging tone: the audience dialogues with writers, listens to personal testimonies, and rediscovers the pleasure of shared reading on summer evenings.
Stories of courage and life testimonies
The hallmark of the festival is the selection of books and authors linked to intense human journeys: narrative debuts, novels set against the backdrop of great History, and memoirs of rebirth and redemption. Each evening focuses not only on the text but also on the person who wrote it, often accompanied by professors, journalists, and local personalities who guide the discussion with the public.
Culture and solidarity
A distinctive feature of La civetta sul pozzo is its focus on solidarity: on some evenings, the proceeds from book sales are donated to third-sector associations. Thus, culture also becomes an opportunity for concrete commitment and support for the community.
An event for Salento
With free admission and its welcoming atmosphere, the festival has quickly established itself as one of the cultural highlights of the summer in Sternatia, attracting readers and curious visitors from all over Grecìa Salentina and the rest of the province of Lecce. It is a way to experience the historic center of Salento through books, meetings, and sharing.
La civetta sul pozzo — edition 2026
The second edition of the literary festival La civetta sul pozzo returned in the summer of 2026 to the cloister of the Dominican Convent in Sternatia, promoted by the Municipal Administration led by Mayor Gabriele Candito. The inaugural evening on June 28 confirmed the spirit of the event: giving voice to stories of courage and rebirth in an intimate and engaging setting, in the heart of Grecìa Salentina.
Programme La civetta sul pozzo 2026
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — 8:00 PM
Inaugural evening in the cloister of the Dominican Convent.
- Presentation of the book "Quando il meno diventa più. La mia forza è nata dove tutti vedevano un limite" by Davide Minerva (known artistically as Dave7).
- Institutional greetings from Mayor Gabriele Candito.
- Introduction and moderation by Deputy Mayor Marta Martina.
- Speech by Prof. Cecilia Bucci, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Salento.
- Testimony by Dr. Maria De Giovanni, Commander of the Republic and founder of Lido Sunrise.
The entire proceeds from the book sales were donated to the association Cuore e Mani Aperte ODV, for the Bimbulanza project.
Highlights La civetta sul pozzo 2026
Prices La civetta sul pozzo 2026
Practical information — La civetta sul pozzo
Location
Cloister of the Dominican Convent, Sternatia (LE), in the historic center of the town, in Grecìa Salentina.
How to get there
By car: Sternatia can be reached via the SS 16 and the provincial roads connecting Lecce (about 25 km away) to Maglie and Otranto. By train: the most convenient station is Zollino or Maglie on the Ferrovie del Sud Est line, with onward travel by bus or car.
Admission
Free admission. On some evenings, it is possible to purchase the presented books, with proceeds often donated to charity.
Tips
The evenings take place outdoors in the cloister: light clothing is recommended for summer evenings. Seating is limited, so it is best to arrive a little early.
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Where does it take place — La civetta sul pozzo
Chiostro del Convento dei Domenicani
Convento dei Domenicani, 73010 Sternatia