Ponte del Dialogo – Literary Festival

A bridge between people and ideas

The Ponte del Dialogo is a widespread literary festival held in Dronero, in the province of Cuneo, at the foot of the Maira Valley. The event takes its name from the famous Devil's Bridge (Pont del Diau), built in 1428, which spans the Maira stream and has been the town's symbol for centuries. The festival reinterprets it as a bridge of dialogue, a metaphor for a community that breaks down walls and builds connections through books, stories, and debate.

A festival spread across Dronero

The festival follows a 'widespread' format: meetings are not concentrated in a single location but animate various spaces throughout the historic center. Key venues include the Teatro Iris, Sala Chegai, the Centro Giolitti, and the Espaci Occitan, home to the Occitan culture of the Cuneo valleys. This approach allows visitors to explore the town on foot, moving from one presentation to the next, from a debate to a theatrical performance.

Writers, historians, and witnesses

The program blends diverse genres and perspectives: fiction, historical non-fiction, social analysis, and firsthand accounts. Each year, the festival brings nationally renowned authors and personalities to Dronero, joined by voices from the Piedmontese and Occitan territories. Recurring themes include youth culture, contemporary history, geopolitics, community relations in remote mountain areas, inclusion, and intercultural coexistence.

A section for younger readers

Alongside evening events for the general public, Ponte del Dialogo dedicates significant space to children and teenagers with a "Young" section featuring workshops, readings, and activities designed for schools and families. The festival also promotes literary contests and projects that engage the local area throughout the year, confirming its nature as a festival that extends beyond its dates.

Dronero and the Maira Valley

Attending the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Dronero and the Maira Valley, one of the most evocative valleys in Piedmont: the historic center with its porticoes, the Mulino della Riviera, the Museo Mallé, and, of course, the Devil's Bridge. It is a setting where literature, alpine landscapes, and Occitan identity intertwine, making Ponte del Dialogo much more than just a book festival.