Maggio dei Libri in Montalbano Elicona

Maggio dei Libri among the villages of Montalbano Elicona

Every year, in the month of May, the Municipality of Montalbano Elicona joins Maggio dei Libri, the national campaign promoted by the Center for Books and Reading (Cepell) to spread reading as a social value. In the heart of the Nebrodi Mountains, in the province of Messina, the village—awarded the title of Borgo dei Borghi and ranked among the most beautiful villages in Italy—adapts the event into a widespread program that involves the entire territory: the medieval alleys of the center, the hamlets, and the fascinating Argimusco plateau.

Dawn Readings among the Megaliths of Argimusco

The signature event of the festival is Dawn Readings among the Megaliths, curated by the Handmademontalbano association. At dawn, among the imposing rock formations of Argimusco—the megalithic site known as the "Sicilian Stonehenge"—readings and storytelling accompany the sunrise in an immersive experience that weaves together the written word, nature, and spirituality. It is an original way to showcase one of the most mysterious and evocative places in Sicily.

A widespread calendar for the whole community

The program aims to make culture accessible and capable of generating community. Typical events include the Snack with Books in the Santa Maria hamlet, an afternoon dedicated to children and families organized by the local Pro Loco, meetings with authors hosted in Pro Loco offices and village theaters, and school projects carried out with the local comprehensive institute and the Youth Council, which bring students closer to reading through creative workshops.

Culture and territory

Promoted by the Municipal Administration together with local associations, the Maggio dei Libri in Montalbano Elicona is much more than a literary festival: it is a cultural project that links books to the landscape, traditions, and identity of this corner of north-eastern Sicily. It is an opportunity to discover, beyond reading, the beauties of the village, from the Swabian-Aragonese Castle to the panoramas of the Nebrodi.

• Where: Montalbano Elicona (ME), historic center, hamlets, and the Argimusco plateau
• When: During the month of May
• Admission: Free and open participation events
• Promoted by: Municipality of Montalbano Elicona, Pro Loco, and local associations