La Grande Invasione – Reading Festival

A festival that “invades” Chieri with books

La Grande Invasione is one of the most beloved reading festivals in Northern Italy. Born in Ivrea over ten years ago, the festival has recently expanded its reach to several cities across Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. Beyond its “home base” in Ivrea, the invasion reaches Aosta and, for a few years now, Chieri, an elegant town in the province of Turin. Curated by Marco Cassini and Gianmario Pilo, the festival transforms the city for three days into a large laboratory of words, where authors, readers, and the curious meet in an informal and participatory atmosphere.

Meetings, readings, and lectures — all free

The heart of the event is the packed calendar of free meetings: book presentations, dialogues with authors, readings, masterclasses, and evening “late shows.” In recent years, the Chieri program has brought together dozens of events with leading voices in Italian culture — from Nicola Lagioia to Marco Balzano, from Tiziano Scarpa to Benedetta Tobagi — alongside international guests and an Esordi (Debuts) section dedicated to new novelists. The format favors a direct relationship between writers and readers, in a succession of morning press reviews, afternoon conversations, and evening performances.

La Piccola Invasione for children and young adults

Running alongside the main program is La Piccola Invasione, the section dedicated to younger readers, curated by Marianna Doria and Ludovica Giovine. With animated readings, creative workshops, and meetings with authors and illustrators, it involves dozens of classes from Chieri’s schools of all levels every year, building a bridge between new generations and the pleasure of reading.

Chieri, a city that becomes a page

The arrival of La Grande Invasione in Chieri has added an important piece to the city's cultural life, already known for its historic center and textile tradition. During the festival, libraries, squares, courtyards, and urban spaces become meeting places: a true peaceful “invasion” of books and ideas that makes the tradition of the Piedmontese territory dialogue with the languages of contemporary culture. For those who love to read, it is the perfect opportunity to discover Chieri and immerse themselves in three days of words.