La Milanesiana
Literature, music, cinema, and arts in dialogue at the Ventidio Basso Theatre
About La Milanesiana
La Milanesiana in Ascoli Piceno
La Milanesiana is one of the most important cultural events in Italy: conceived and directed by Elisabetta Sgarbi, it travels through numerous cities in the country each year, fostering dialogue between literature, music, cinema, theatre, science, philosophy, law, economics, art, comics, and sport around a single theme. For several editions, the festival has chosen Ascoli Piceno as its stop in the Marche region, bringing some of the most beloved names in Italian culture and entertainment to the Ventidio Basso Theatre.
A festival that makes the arts converse
La Milanesiana's formula is unmistakable: each evening features a dialogue between different disciplines, alternating readings, concerts, theatrical monologues, film screenings, and conversations. It's not just a simple calendar of events, but a journey of thought where writers, musicians, actors, and artists engage with the year's theme. For the Ascoli audience, it means experiencing evenings where words, music, and images intertwine under the neoclassical vaults of one of the most beautiful historic theatres in the Marche region.
The Ventidio Basso Theatre, heart of the Marche stop
The main events are held at the Ventidio Basso Theatre, on Via del Trivio, a short walk from Piazza del Popolo. Built between 1840 and 1846 to a design by Ireneo Aleandri, with its neoclassical travertine facade and horseshoe-shaped auditorium, it is the ideal setting for a festival that makes quality and elegance its hallmark. The theatre series is usually accompanied by an art exhibition at the Civic Art Gallery in Palazzo Arringo, featuring an installation dedicated to a contemporary artist.
A travelling exhibition across the territory
The Ascoli Piceno stop of La Milanesiana is not limited to the provincial capital: the event also involves other Municipalities in the Province of Ascoli Piceno, such as Montalto delle Marche, expanding the festival's cultural map in the Marche region. This project is made possible by the collaboration between the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno, the Fondazione Marche Cultura, and the festival organizers.
Free admission and booking
One of the distinctive features of the Ascoli Piceno stop is free admission to all events, with booking required via Eventbrite until places are filled. This choice makes great culture accessible to everyone and attracts a large and passionate audience to Ascoli Piceno every year.
La Milanesiana — edition 2026
The 27th edition of La Milanesiana, conceived and directed by Elisabetta Sgarbi, has the theme "Desire and Law" and runs from May 24 to July 22, 2026, with over 60 events in 18 Italian cities. In Ascoli Piceno, the festival focuses on the Ventidio Basso Theatre in the first days of July, with a program that blends singer-songwriter music, theatre, and literary reflection, alongside an exhibition at the Civic Art Gallery and an event in Montalto delle Marche.
Programme La Milanesiana 2026
Wednesday, July 1 — Ventidio Basso Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Enrico Ruggeri presents the book "40 vite (senza fermarmi mai)" in an encounter between music and words, with a live performance and a dialogue with Alessandro Gnocchi.
Thursday, July 2 — Ventidio Basso Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Simone Cristicchi performs the show "Franciscus. The madman who spoke to birds".
Friday, July 3 — Ventidio Basso Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Concert by Luca Barbarossa accompanied by the Social Band, featuring his hits and the album "La verità sull'amore". Literary prologue by Fabio Genovesi.
Thursday, July 9 — Ventidio Basso Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Alessio Boni in "Francesco D'Assisi. On the fringes of light".
Friday, July 10 — Ventidio Basso Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Ron in "Music and Words", accompanied by Marco Caronna and Giuseppe Tassoni.
Related Exhibition
- "Giorgio Tonelli and Metacosa" — Civic Art Gallery, Palazzo Arringo. Opening on July 5 at 5:00 PM, on display until September 30, 2026.
Territorial Stop
- July 5, 9:00 PM — Montalto delle Marche: Vittorio Sgarbi with the lecture "Art and Fascism. In Art there is no Fascism. In Fascism there is no Art".
Highlights La Milanesiana 2026
Prices La Milanesiana 2026
Practical information — La Milanesiana
Where
Teatro Ventidio Basso, Via del Trivio 33, 63100 Ascoli Piceno (AP). The related exhibition is held at the Pinacoteca Civica, Palazzo Arringo.
How to get there
By car: take the Ascoli Piceno exit from the SS4 Salaria or the A14 motorway junction (Porto d'Ascoli). The historic centre is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to park in the car parks surrounding the centre and walk to Piazza del Popolo. By train: Ascoli Piceno station, about a 15-minute walk from the theatre.
Tickets
Events in Ascoli Piceno are free admission with mandatory booking on Eventbrite, subject to availability.
When
The events in Ascoli Piceno take place in the first days of July, usually starting at 9:00 PM.
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Where does it take place — La Milanesiana
Teatro Ventidio Basso
Via del Trivio 33, 63100 Ascoli Piceno