Parolario — Festival della Letteratura di Como
The literature festival of Como, featuring encounters, dialogues, and great authors
About Parolario
Como: Capital of Literature
Parolario is the literature festival of Como, the capital of the homonymous Province in Lombardy. For over twenty years, it has offered a dense program of encounters with writers, dialogues, shows, performances, and musical readings, alternating big names in Italian narrative with journalists, magistrates, scholars, and cultural personalities. The main venue is Palazzo Natta, in the heart of the city.
A Theme Reflecting the Present
Each edition of Parolario revolves around a common thread that brings literature into dialogue with current events. The festival doesn't just present books; it uses narrative as a key to understanding reality, weaving together novels, current affairs, memory, and new forms of storytelling. Writing workshops, author meetings, and in-depth sessions complete the program.
A Festival Spread Across the Lake
While its heart is at Palazzo Natta, Parolario is a widespread festival that also involves the villages of Lake Como: among the venues for encounters are Villa Bernasconi in Cernobbio, as well as locations like Moltrasio, Lezzeno, and Tremezzina. The "Parolario Off" events extend the festival beyond the main days.
Culture and Territory
Organized by the Associazione Parolario, the festival has become one of the most anticipated cultural events of the Como summer, capable of combining the quality of its guests with the beauty of the villas and lakeside locations, and bringing to Como an audience passionate about books and good stories.
Parolario — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the twenty-sixth, has the theme "Who Did It? Writing and Investigation: From Agatha Christie to Artificial Intelligence": the detective novel as a narrative form capable of interpreting the present, from classic mystery to contemporary noir, from trials to current affairs, including podcasts and artificial intelligence. The festival takes place between Como, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Lezzeno, and Tremezzina, with Palazzo Natta as the main venue and Villa Bernasconi among the central locations. The "Parolario Off" events continue until June 19.
Programme Parolario 2026
Some events at Palazzo Natta
- Wednesday, June 10, 6:30 PM — "Reasonable Doubt: The Garlasco Case Between Evidence, Errors, and Reconstructions," with magistrate Stefano Vitelli
- Sunday, June 14, 11:00 AM — "Books, Podcasts, and Social Media: How Narration is Changing in the Age of AI," with Luca Tremolada, Piero Colaprico, Paolo Moretti, and Martina Toppi
Workshops
- At Villa del Balbianello, a mystery writing workshop with Giovanni Cocco and Amneris Magella
Venues
- Palazzo Natta (main venue), Villa Bernasconi (Cernobbio), Moltrasio, Lezzeno, Tremezzina
The complete program with all guests is published on the official website parolario.it.
Highlights Parolario 2026
Prices Parolario 2026
Practical information — Parolario
When
From June 10 to 15, 2026, with "Parolario Off" events until June 19.
Where
Main venue: Palazzo Natta, Como. Other venues: Villa Bernasconi (Cernobbio), Moltrasio, Lezzeno, Tremezzina.
Admission
Meetings are generally free. Some workshops require booking. Details at parolario.it.
How to get there
Como is reachable by train (Como San Giovanni and Como Nord Lago) and by car from the A9 motorway. Palazzo Natta is located in the historic center.
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Where does it take place — Parolario
Palazzo Natta
Via Natta, 22100 Como