Macondo – Festival of Narratives
Four days of books, journalism, theatre, and music on the Francavilla al Mare seafront
About Macondo Festival
The Macondo Festival in Francavilla al Mare
The Macondo – Festival of Narratives is the premier cultural event of the summer in Francavilla al Mare, an elegant seaside town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. For four days, the Adriatic seafront transforms into an open-air laboratory dedicated to literature, journalism, theatre, and music, featuring author meet-and-greets, book presentations, readings, performances, and evening shows.
From the SquiLibri Festival to Macondo
The event stems from the experience of the SquiLibri Festival, the narrative review that has enlivened Francavilla al Mare since 2022. Promoted by the Scuola Macondo and under the artistic direction of writer and screenwriter Peppe Millanta, the festival has reinvented itself, adopting the name Macondo—a literary nod to the imaginary village of García Márquez—to reflect its natural evolution: not a final destination, but an open process capable of blending diverse artistic languages and turning culture into a shared experience.
A program of books, current events, and entertainment
The lineup weaves together big names in journalism, fiction, and entertainment with a dedicated space for independent publishing. Each edition hosts dozens of Italian and international authors, a Book Fair with independent publishers, a section dedicated to short stories, and the Abruzzo stop of the Strega Tour, featuring finalists of Italy's most prestigious literary prize. There is no shortage of workshops for children, literary walks, musical readings, and theatre and dance performances.
The festival venues
The heart of the event is Piazza Sirena, overlooking the sea, along with Palazzo Sirena, the Auditorium, the Pier, and seafront spaces like the Lido Serenella. The choice to distribute events across squares, halls, and the beach makes Macondo a widespread festival, where the public naturally transitions from meeting an author to enjoying an aperitif on the shores of the Adriatic.
A festival for the community
Beyond its nationally renowned guests, the Macondo Festival is defined by its strong bond with the local area: the Scuola Macondo, active in Pescara and Francavilla al Mare, curates writing and storytelling courses throughout the year that culminate in the summer event. The festival is supported by the Municipality of Francavilla al Mare and currently stands as one of the most popular literary gatherings in the Adriatic Abruzzo region.
Macondo Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the tenth of the event and the first under the new name Macondo, was held from June 18 to 21 in Francavilla al Mare under the artistic direction of Peppe Millanta. The opening evening, at Palazzo Sirena, featured Roberto Mercadini with the show "Animali umani".
Among the guests over the four days: journalist Enrico Mentana, writers Gio Evan, Massimo Carlotto, Veronica Raimo, Paolo Di Paolo, and the Romanian author Mircea Cărtărescu, activist Cathy La Torre, actor Gabriele Lavia, and dancer and presenter Elena D'Amario. The festival hosted the Abruzzo stop of the Strega Tour with the prize finalists, the Book Fair with over forty independent publishers, and the "I come Indie" section dedicated to independent publishing, in addition to workshops for children and literary walks.
Programme Macondo Festival 2026
Thursday, June 18 – Opening evening at Palazzo Sirena with Roberto Mercadini ("Animali umani").
Friday, June 19, Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21 – Meetings, presentations, readings, and shows between Piazza Sirena, the Auditorium, the Pier, and Lido Serenella, with Enrico Mentana, Gio Evan, Massimo Carlotto, Mircea Cărtărescu, Cathy La Torre, Gabriele Lavia, Paolo Di Paolo, Veronica Raimo, Elena D'Amario, and the Abruzzo stop of the Strega Tour.
Highlights Macondo Festival 2026
- Tenth edition and debut of the new name Macondo
- Enrico Mentana, Gio Evan, Massimo Carlotto, and Mircea Cărtărescu among the guests
- Abruzzo stop of the Strega Tour with the prize finalists
- Book Fair with over 40 independent publishers
- Opening evening with Roberto Mercadini at Palazzo Sirena
Prices Macondo Festival 2026
Practical information — Macondo Festival
How to get there
Francavilla al Mare is located along the Adriatic coast, between Pescara and Chieti. By train, the Francavilla al Mare station is on the Adriatic line; the nearest airport is Pescara (Abruzzo Airport), just a few kilometres away. By car, it can be reached from the Pescara Sud/Francavilla exit on the A14 motorway.
Admission and tickets
Most meetings and events take place outdoors in freely accessible areas; some events may require reservations. It is recommended to check the official website and the festival's social media channels for the detailed program and schedules.
Where to stay
Francavilla al Mare offers numerous hotels, B&Bs, and beach clubs along the seafront; nearby Pescara further expands accommodation options.
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Where does it take place — Macondo Festival
Piazza Sirena