Macerata Racconta – Festival Letterario

A literary festival in the heart of the Marche

Born in 2011, Macerata Racconta is now one of the most anticipated literary events in the capital of the Province of Macerata, in the Marche region. Promoted by the ConTesto Cultural Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Macerata and with the patronage of the University of Macerata, the festival transforms the historic centre into a large open-air lounge dedicated to books, reading, and writing every year. The motto that accompanies it — «Adventures happen to those who know how to tell them» — sums up its spirit well.

Numbers and identity

In over fifteen editions, the festival has built a solid and recognizable offering: more than sixty events spread over a few days and around seven thousand spectators each year. The events take place in some of the most beautiful places in the city — the Lauro Rossi Theatre, the Mozzi Borgetti Library, art galleries, courtyards, and squares in the centre — and range from meetings with authors to shows, from exhibitions to workshops for children and teenagers. All events are free admission, sometimes with booking required for the most crowded events.

A cultural network that goes beyond the festival

Macerata Racconta is not just the week of the festival: it is a cultural project that runs throughout the year. Among the related initiatives are the Macerata Racconta Giovani Award, aimed at schools with writing and booktrailer sections and capable of involving over a thousand students, the winter spin-off I Giorni della Merla, and reading groups for young people. Since 2021, the festival has also hosted a Marche region stage of the StregaTour, with the finalists of the Strega Prize.

The 2026 edition: the festival becomes a summer event

The big news of the sixteenth edition is the change of season: historically held in the first week of May, in 2026 Macerata Racconta moves to summer and will take place from June 30 to July 5. The choice, explained by the artistic direction entrusted to Giorgio Pietrani, stems from the desire to avoid overlaps with other city events. The new format favours outdoor meetings in squares and courtyards, with indoor setups in case of bad weather and many events concentrated in the evening hours.

Why it's worth it

For those who love books and want to discover Macerata, the festival is the ideal opportunity: a compact and welcoming city, a quality programme with leading authors from the Italian literary scene, and an atmosphere where culture is experienced on the street, between one presentation and another. The free and widespread formula makes the experience suitable for both enthusiasts and families.