La Grande Invasione - Aosta Reading Festival
The reading festival that invades Aosta with writers, talks, and books
About La Grande Invasione
The reading festival arrives in Aosta
La Grande Invasione is the reading festival conceived in Ivrea and directed by Marco Cassini and Gianmario Pilo, which for some years has also "invaded" Aosta with a packed programme of completely free events. For three days, around the last weekend of May, the historic centre of the capital of the Aosta Valley becomes a large space dedicated to books, writing, and stories.
Writers, journalists, and voices of culture
The festival brings together Italian authors and international guests, in dialogue with the public on fiction, current affairs, rights, history, and sports. Alongside the most well-known names on the literary scene, there are journalists, podcasters, psychologists, and emerging authors, in a programme that alternates presentations, lectures, and conversations. The events are held in symbolic locations in the city, from the Teatro Plus to the Salone Ducale of the town hall, from the Hôtel des États to the city's bookshops and libraries.
A gentle invasion of the city
In addition to literary events, La Grande Invasione offers musical interludes, activities, and workshops, with the stated aim of "invading the city with words". Admission to all events is free: a choice that makes the festival an open occasion for readers, the curious, and families, and which helps to animate the centre of Aosta during one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. The festival is part of a circuit that also involves Ivrea and Chieri, in Piedmont.
La Grande Invasione — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of La Grande Invasione in Aosta, the third in the Aosta Valley capital, is confirmed from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026: 17 free events and over 20 guests in three days, in a programme that—in the words of directors Gianmario Pilo and Marco Cassini—"raises the bar".
The festival opens on Friday, May 29 at 9:00 PM at the Teatro Plus with Antonio Manzini, who presents "Sotto mentite spoglie", the new chapter in the Rocco Schiavone vice-questore saga. Among the announced guests: Nicola Lagioia, Benedetta Tobagi, Tiziano Scarpa, Antonio Sellerio, Elena Varvello, Matteo B. Bianchi, Simone Pieranni, Stefania Andreoli, Fabrizio Gabrielli, Marco Rossari, and international guest Tommy Wieringa (Dutch writer). The venues for the events are Teatro Plus, the Salone Ducale of the town hall, Hôtel des États, and the bookshops and libraries in the centre.
Programme La Grande Invasione 2026
La Grande Invasione 2026 — Aosta (May 29-31)
Third edition in the Aosta Valley. 17 free events, over 20 guests. Artistic direction: Marco Cassini and Gianmario Pilo.
Friday, May 29
- 9:00 PM — Opening at Teatro Plus: Antonio Manzini presents "Sotto mentite spoglie" (in conversation with Gianmario Pilo)
Guests and themes of the edition (Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31)
- Tommy Wieringa — conversation at Salone Ducale (Dutch author)
- Benedetta Tobagi — lecture on women's suffrage in the referendum on the Republic
- Nicola Lagioia — war as a disease of the species
- Tiziano Scarpa — reading of Charles Bukowski's poems (Sunday evening)
- Matteo B. Bianchi — "A Brief Lesson in Autobiographical Writing"
- Elena Varvello — "La vita sempre"
- Fabrizio Gabrielli — sports literature
- Simone Pieranni — journalism and podcasts
- Stefania Andreoli — the novel "Un'ottima famiglia"
- With Antonio Sellerio, Marco Rossari, Mauro Pescio, and emerging authors
Musical interludes and a "Music for Peace" concert with a dedicated workshop are also scheduled. The complete programme, with times and venues for each event, is available for download in PDF and on the festival's official website.
Highlights La Grande Invasione 2026
Prices La Grande Invasione 2026
Practical information — La Grande Invasione
How to get there
Aosta is reachable by car via the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway (Aosta exit) and by train to Aosta station, which is close to the historic centre where the events are held.
When and admission
Three days at the end of May. All events are free admission; booking may be recommended for some events. Full programme on the official website.
Venues
Teatro Plus, Salone Ducale of the town hall, Hôtel des États, and bookshops and libraries in the centre of Aosta.
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Where does it take place — La Grande Invasione
Teatro Plus, Salone Ducale e centro storico di Aosta
Piazza Émile Chanoux, 11100 Aosta