La Fabbrica di Carta
The Ossola Valley book and culture festival
About Fabbrica di Carta
La Fabbrica di Carta: The Ossola Book Festival
Every spring, Villadossola—a vibrant town in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province—becomes the cultural capital of the Ossola Valley for four days, thanks to La Fabbrica di Carta. Originally launched as a book fair, the event has evolved into a full-fledged festival, becoming a landmark for readers, writers, and culture enthusiasts across Northern Piedmont.
The festival takes place within the Centro Culturale La Fabbrica (Corso Italia 13), a former industrial plant transformed into the beating heart of the town's cultural life. The event's name plays on this identity: a nod to the factory of the past, now a "factory of paper" for books and ideas.
A Rich and Free Program
Every year, La Fabbrica di Carta offers around twenty events, all with free admission: author-led book presentations, topical conferences, film screenings, concerts, and exhibitions. Events are primarily scheduled for the late afternoon and evening, while mornings are often dedicated to schools, featuring screenings and workshops designed to introduce younger generations to the joy of reading.
Alongside local Ossola writers, the festival hosts prominent national figures, drawing large and engaged audiences. Each edition is centered around a core theme that ties the program together, creating a dialogue between literature, cinema, and music.
A Festival for the Entire Ossola Valley
Organized by the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in collaboration with local cultural entities, La Fabbrica di Carta is much more than a book fair: it is a community moment where the Val d'Ossola gathers around the written word. The venue is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility via elevator and welcomes hundreds of guests daily.
For those visiting Piedmont and the upper Verbano region, the festival is the perfect opportunity to discover Villadossola and the Ossola Valley—a land of mountains, mines, and ancient traditions—during the particularly charming spring season.
Fabbrica di Carta — edition 2026
The 28th edition of La Fabbrica di Carta took place in Villadossola from April 22 to 25, 2026, under the theme "From Vote to Voice", dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the first Italian women's vote and their role in contemporary society. The festival wove together books, cinema, and music over four days at the Centro Culturale La Fabbrica, with free admission.
Highlights included a lecture-show by criminologist Roberta Bruzzone and a screening of the film "C'è ancora domani" by Paola Cortellesi, alongside numerous presentations of works by local and national authors.
Programme Fabbrica di Carta 2026
Wednesday, April 22
- 16:00 — Official inauguration of the 28th edition
- Conference on economic violence and presentation of the book "La felicità economica" by Maria Luisa Visione
- 21:00 — Roberta Bruzzone in "Amami da morire — Anatomia di una relazione tossica" (lecture-show)
Thursday, April 23
- Morning — School screening of the film "C'è ancora domani" by Paola Cortellesi
- 21:00 — Public and free screening of the film "C'è ancora domani"
- Presentation of the short story collection by students of the Liceo Spezia in Domodossola
Friday, April 24
- Presentation of the book by principal Fiorenzo Ferrari on the Istituto Maggia in Stresa
- "Le donne di Cortina 1956" by Adriana Balzarini, with a dedicated exhibition
- Presentation of the book on the Corale di Trontano, with a concert
Saturday, April 25
- Stories of forgotten women
- Presentation of two books published by Grossi on Macugnaga and the mines of the Val d'Ossola
- Closing of the festival
Highlights Fabbrica di Carta 2026
- Theme "From Vote to Voice," for the 80th anniversary of women's suffrage in Italy
- Roberta Bruzzone's lecture-show, "Amami da morire"
- Free screening of "C'è ancora domani" by Paola Cortellesi
- Presentations of books on the history of the Ossola Valley (Macugnaga, mines, Cortina 1956)
Prices Fabbrica di Carta 2026
Practical information — Fabbrica di Carta
Location
Centro Culturale La Fabbrica, Corso Italia 13, 28844 Villadossola (VB), Piedmont. Exhibition and event halls are located on the first floor, accessible by elevator.
Getting There
Villadossola is located along the main road and railway line connecting Domodossola to the Piedmontese plains. By train, Villadossola station is on the Domodossola-Novara line. By car, take the A26 motorway exit towards Gravellona Toce, then follow the expressway towards Domodossola.
Admission and Contacts
Admission is free for all events (except for special ticketed shows). Information: tel. +39 0324 575611, e-mail [email protected]. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 to 12:00, and Thursday afternoon from 15:00 to 18:00.
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Where does it take place — Fabbrica di Carta
Centro Culturale La Fabbrica
Corso Italia 13, 28844 Villadossola