Ponza d'Autore
Two evenings of debate on politics, journalism, and culture in the heart of the Pontine Islands
About Ponza d'Autore
A summer agora in the heart of the Mediterranean
Ponza d'Autore is one of the longest-running public debate series in the Lazio region: every July, for two consecutive evenings, the Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla in Ponza, in the province of Latina, becomes an open-air stage where institutions, journalism, the judiciary, business, and culture meet. It is neither a literary festival nor a film screening: the format is that of a talk show, a multi-voiced conversation led by prominent journalists, with the sea just a few steps away and the audience seated under the stars.
Who is behind the festival
The event is conceived and curated by Valentina Fontana and produced by Vis Factor, the Rome-based company that has been driving the D'Autore cultural project since 2009, described by the organizers as a free think tank, devoid of political labels and open to independent thought. Ponza is the original home of the project, which over the years has expanded to other Italian locations with events dedicated to geopolitics, manufacturing, and social transformation. The event is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Lazio Region, and the Municipality of Ponza.
The format: two evenings, many voices
The structure is well-established and repeated year after year. The meetings begin late in the evening, once the island's beach activities have wound down and the port slows its pace: at 10:00 PM, the audience fills the square, and a series of thirty-to-forty-minute panels follow, each led by a different moderator. Each evening has its own central theme, but the approach remains the same: minimal formal speeches, plenty of direct confrontation, sharp questions, and immediate, unscripted answers.
- First evening — usually dedicated to the relationship between domestic politics, information, and consensus-building, with the participation of government officials and members of the judiciary.
- Second evening — opening up to the international scene, diplomacy, and the mechanisms of propaganda, featuring prominent institutional guests.
- Satire and culture — a recurring space entrusted to ironic and unconventional voices, offering a different perspective on current events.
Ponza, the setting
The island of Ponza is the hub of the Pontine archipelago, facing the coast of southern Lazio, and belongs to the province of Latina. The pastel-colored houses of the port, the tuff cliffs, the coves accessible only by sea, and the maritime tradition make it one of the most recognizable summer destinations in the region. Hosting a debate series in this setting is no minor detail: the square of the Santi Silverio e Domitilla church, named after the island's patron saint, is the true living room of Ponza, the place where the community has gathered for centuries. During the festival evenings, that same square welcomes residents, holidaymakers, and curious visitors arriving on the last hydrofoil.
Why it is worth attending
Those spending their holidays on the island find in Ponza d'Autore an unusual opportunity: to attend, free of charge and just a few meters away, a debate between key figures of Italian public life who are usually only seen on television. The atmosphere is informal; you arrive on foot from the port, you stand at the edges of the square if the seats are full, and often the debate continues in the waterfront bars until late at night. It is a way to combine a seaside vacation with an evening of in-depth discussion, without sacrificing the slow rhythm of the Pontine summer.
Ponza d'Autore — edition 2026
17th edition: who constructs the truth today?
The 2026 edition of Ponza d'Autore chose (dis)information as its central theme, addressing it as one of the great challenges of contemporary democracies. The fundamental question posed by the organizers — who constructs the truth today and how much do distorted narratives weigh on public debate, politics, and the great decisions of our time — ran through both evenings.
The program alternated between domestic and international perspectives: from the relationship between politics, media, and consensus-building to the credibility of economic data, from the media coverage of justice to the role of satire in public discourse, and finally to global scenarios and the competing narratives that accompany them.
The event, conceived and curated by Valentina Fontana and produced by Vis Factor, was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Lazio Region, and the Municipality of Ponza.
Programme Ponza d'Autore 2026
Friday, July 17, 2026 — 10:00 PM, Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla
First evening dedicated to the relationship between politics, information, and consensus-building, the credibility of economic data, media coverage of justice, and the role of satire in public debate.
- Claudio Durigon, Undersecretary for Labour
- Nicola Gratteri, Magistrate
- Luca Palamara
- Federico Palmaroli, aka Osho
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — 10:00 PM, Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla
Second evening open to the international scene, diplomacy, and the mechanisms of propaganda.
- Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Carlo Calenda
- Massimo Giannini
- Pietro Francesco Dettori
- Gino Zavalani
- Stefania Andreoli
Moderation
The meetings were moderated by Gianluigi Nuzzi, Davide Desario, Peter Gomez, and Roberto Inciocchi.
Highlights Ponza d'Autore 2026
- 17th edition of the festival, on the island that serves as its historic home
- 2026 theme: (dis)information between narratives, perceptions, and digital propaganda
- Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, guest of the second evening
- Magistrate Nicola Gratteri and Luca Palamara on the media coverage of justice
- The satire of Federico Palmaroli, aka Osho
- Moderation by Gianluigi Nuzzi, Davide Desario, Peter Gomez, and Roberto Inciocchi
- Open-air evenings at 10:00 PM in the main square of the port
Prices Ponza d'Autore 2026
Practical information — Ponza d'Autore
How to get there
Ponza can only be reached by sea. The main connections depart from Formia, Terracina, and Anzio via ferries and hydrofoils (about 1 hour by hydrofoil from Formia, 2 hours and 30 minutes by ferry). In summer, services also operate from Naples and neighboring islands. From Rome, you can reach Formia by train in just over an hour, then continue on foot to the port.
On-site
The Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla is located in the upper part of the port of Ponza, reachable on foot in a few minutes from the landing point. The island is small, and in high season, non-resident car traffic is restricted: it is best to get around on foot, by shared taxi, or by local minibus.
Times and admission
The meetings begin at 10:00 PM. Access to the square is free until capacity is reached; it is advisable to arrive early on evenings with high-profile institutional guests.
Accommodation
Ponza offers hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and holiday homes, but in mid-July, availability is very limited: booking well in advance is essential. Alternatively, you can stay in Formia or Terracina and return on the last evening ferry, though you should check the schedules as late-night departures are rare.
Information
Updated program and contacts on the organizers' website: dautore.org — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Ponza d'Autore
Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla
Piazza della Chiesa SS. Silverio e Domitilla, 04027 Ponza