MARFFEST - Philosophy Festival
Philosophy among the cloisters, courtyards, and historic palaces of Marigliano
About MARFFEST
A philosophy festival in the heart of Marigliano
The MARFFEST - Philosophy Festival is a cultural event that annually transforms Marigliano, a town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, into a widespread laboratory of thought. Over two weekends, the town's churches, cloisters, courtyards, historic palaces, and gardens host masterclasses, public dialogues, workshops, and performances: philosophy steps out of academic halls to become a daily practice of listening, connection, and community.
The festival is promoted by the Oltremarigliano Cultural Association, chaired by Rosa Anna Quindici, with the scientific guidance of Rosario Diana, a philosopher and playwright, and senior researcher in philosophy at the ISPF-CNR in Naples. In 2026, the event reached its eighth edition, confirming its status as a key appointment for philosophical outreach in the Nola and Vesuvius area of Campania.
Two sections: "Ideas" and "Experiences"
The MARFFEST format remains faithful to a recognizable structure, articulated into two complementary paths that weave through the entire program:
- Ideas: lectio magistralis, public dialogues, and theoretical meetings with philosophers, scholars, and intellectuals of national standing.
- Experiences: workshops for children, teenagers, and adults, philosophical walks, discussion cafes, concerts, dance, artistic performances, astronomical observations, and a convivial dinner.
This is a deliberate choice: alongside theoretical reflection, there is always shared action, ensuring thought can be experienced rather than just heard.
The venues: a historic center turned into a stage
MARFFEST does not have a single headquarters but traverses the town's historical heritage. The Ducal Palace, with its small grove, is the heart of the event and hosts the final day; the Church of the Annunziata and the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Speranza host the masterclasses and dialogues; Palazzo Nicotera provides the setting for the convivial dinner with philosophical readings; the historic gardens and local cafes, such as the Madre Storica, become spaces for reasoned walks and conversation. The Ducal Palace itself, still awaiting a rebirth project, is one of the civic themes the festival brings to the city's attention.
Schools, youth, and community
One of the most original features of MARFFEST is its involvement of the school system: seven schools from Marigliano, Mariglianella, and Nola, from kindergarten to high school, participate with dedicated activities and a philosophical reel contest reserved for high school students. The awards ceremony takes place on the final day, in front of the festival audience, showcasing the work done throughout the school year.
Patronage and recognition
The event is sponsored by the Regional Council of Campania, the Metropolitan City of Naples, the University of Naples Federico II, the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies, the Institute for the History of Modern Philosophical and Scientific Thought of the CNR, and the magazine Infiniti Mondi. This is significant recognition for a festival born from cultural volunteering and grown through the participation of the local community.
Why it's worth it
MARFFEST is a rare opportunity to meet big names in contemporary thought in an intimate, free-entry setting just a few kilometers from Naples. Visitors from out of town will find a historic center untouched by mass tourism, with cloisters and courtyards opening to the public specifically for the festival, and a local audience that participates with genuine curiosity. Between a lecture and an origami workshop, a walk in the historic gardens and a gypsy jazz concert under the stars, the festival succeeds in the difficult task of making philosophy everyone's business.
MARFFEST — edition 2026
CONvivenze: the meaning of 'us'
With its eighth edition, MARFFEST chose a word with enormous specific weight: CONvivenze (Co-existences). In an era marked by social isolation, polarization, and digital fragmentation, the festival attempted to refocus on the question of how a 'we' is built: a reflection entrusted to philosophers, theologians, scientists, administrators, artists, and students.
The program was organized, as per tradition, into the two sections Ideas and Experiences, spread over four days throughout the historic center of Marigliano. Scientific advice was provided by Rosario Diana of the ISPF-CNR in Naples, and organizational direction by Rosa Anna Quindici, president of the Oltremarigliano Association.
A positive outcome
The edition closed with a large public turnout, especially on the final day at the Ducal Palace, and with an appeal for the enhancement of the palace itself, which is still awaiting a rebirth project. The involvement of seven schools from Marigliano, Mariglianella, and Nola, with the philosophical reel contest reserved for high schools, confirmed the civic and educational vocation of the festival, born and grown thanks to cultural volunteering.
Programme MARFFEST 2026
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- Opening of the 8th edition with a dialogue between theology and philosophy: Father Lino D'Onofrio, Rosario Diana, and Alfonso Lanzieri.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Public discussion on political participation and community life, with the Mayor of Marigliano, Gaetano Bocchino.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- 11:00 AM - Church of the Annunziata: lectio magistralis by Donatella Di Cesare (Sapienza University of Rome), 'Grammar of Co-living / On Possible Peace'.
- 6:00 PM - Sanctuary of the Madonna della Speranza: dialogue on food as a practice of sharing and the relationship between food and territory, with Gianluca Napolitano and representatives of Slow Food Campania.
- 8:00 PM - Palazzo Nicotera: convivial dinner with philosophical readings.
Sunday, June 7, 2026 - Ducal Palace
- 10:00 AM: institutional greetings, with the Regional Councilor for Culture, Onofrio Giustino Angelo Cutaia.
- 10:30 AM: philosophical dialogue on coexistence and ecological transition with philosopher Daniele De Marco.
- 11:30 AM: creative workshops for young people.
- 3:00 PM: meeting on scenography and shared spaces with Nera Prota and Rebecca Carlizzi.
- From the afternoon: readings for children and awards ceremony for school competitions, including the philosophical reel contest.
- 7:00 PM: book presentation 'Tutto è connesso' (Everything is Connected) by astrophysicist Giovanni Covone (University of Naples Federico II).
- In the evening: concert and 'Under the Same Sky' astronomical observations in the Ducal Palace grove, until late at night.
Experiences, throughout the festival
- Origami workshops for children, teenagers, and adults.
- Philosophical walks and reasoned strolls in the historic gardens of Marigliano.
- Philosophical cafe on conversation at the 'Madre Storica' bar with philologist Alessia Scognamiglio.
- Plato's 'Symposium' in a theatrical version, directed by Christian Poggioni.
- Dance events and a gypsy jazz concert.
- Activities dedicated to the seven schools of Marigliano, Mariglianella, and Nola.
Highlights MARFFEST 2026
- Theme of the edition: CONvivenze, the meaning of 'us' against isolation and polarization.
- The lectio magistralis by Donatella Di Cesare, 'Grammar of Co-living / On Possible Peace', in the Church of the Annunziata.
- Plato's 'Symposium' staged by director Christian Poggioni.
- 'Under the Same Sky' astronomical observations in the Ducal Palace grove.
- Convivial dinner with philosophical readings at Palazzo Nicotera.
- Presentation of 'Tutto è connesso' with astrophysicist Giovanni Covone.
- Philosophical reel contest for high school students.
Prices MARFFEST 2026
Practical information — MARFFEST
How to get there
Marigliano is located about twenty kilometers east of Naples, in the Metropolitan City of Naples. By car, it is reachable via the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway (Nola exit) and the local road network connecting Nola, Pomigliano d'Arco, and Acerra. By train, the Marigliano station is served by the EAV Circumvesuviana line on the Naples-Nola-Baiano route, with departures from Naples Porta Nolana and Naples Garibaldi.
Admission and reservations
All MARFFEST events are free and open to the public. For limited-capacity events, such as workshops and the convivial dinner, booking by contacting the organizers is recommended.
Contacts
Oltremarigliano Cultural Association - e-mail: [email protected]. The full program is released every year on the association's social media channels and in the local press of the Nola area.
Useful tips
Most meetings take place outdoors, among courtyards, groves, and gardens: on late May evenings, it is advisable to bring a light jacket. For philosophical walks, comfortable shoes are recommended. Astronomical observations are held late in the evening and may be subject to changes in case of cloudy skies.
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Where does it take place — MARFFEST
Palazzo Ducale e centro storico di Marigliano