Oltre le Parole — Literary Festival

The Montesilvano Literary Festival

Oltre le Parole is the literary festival that brings Largo Venezuela to life every summer, in the heart of the Grandi Alberghi district of Montesilvano, a coastal city in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo. Established in 2021, the event has quickly become a cornerstone of the local summer cultural calendar, attracting nationally renowned authors just steps away from the Adriatic coast.

Literature, Music, and Culture

The festival's format weaves together multiple art forms into a single evening. At its core are the author meet-and-greets: fiction writers and non-fiction experts present their latest works in conversation with journalists and presenters, before a large and engaged audience. Surrounding these sessions is a broader program designed to captivate even those who aren't avid readers.

• Live Music: Jazz and swing interludes performed by ensembles such as the Manuela Francia Jazz Trio and the On Swing Band, providing a sophisticated backdrop to the evenings.
• Dramatic Readings: Excerpts from the featured books are brought to life by actors and students from the Civic School of Theatre, including Tiziana Di Tonno and Mario Massarotti.
• Art Space: A permanent exhibition curates the visual side of the festival, enriching the evening experience.

A Highlight of the Montesilvano Summer

Part of the Municipality of Montesilvano's rich summer schedule, Oltre le Parole represents the cultural soul of the season, alongside concerts, shows, and family activities. The artistic direction is led by Marcello Nicodemo, who over the years has brought prominent names from the Italian literary and journalistic scene to Montesilvano. The evenings take place outdoors in a square overlooking the Adriatic coast and are free to attend, offering the public the chance to meet the authors and participate in book signings.

Why Attend

For those spending their summer on the Abruzzo coast, Oltre le Parole is the perfect opportunity to combine vacation and culture: three evenings of books, music, and conversation in one of the most popular seaside destinations in the province of Pescara. The festival is free, open to everyone, and designed for a diverse audience, from passionate readers to tourists looking for a unique evening event.