Positano Sea, Sun and Culture
The literary festival of Positano in Piazza Flavio Gioia
About Sea, Sun and Culture
A literary festival overlooking the sea
Positano Sea, Sun and Culture is the longest-running literary festival on the Amalfi Coast. Established in 1993 at the initiative of the then-mayor Salvatore Attanasio, it has spanned over thirty years of Italian cultural life, bringing writers, journalists, magistrates, artists, and well-known public figures to the town of Positano, in the province of Salerno (Campania). For a few weeks each summer, one of Italy's most photographed villages becomes a place for reading and discussion, where the book is not merely a pretext but the true center of the evening.
Piazza Flavio Gioia, the open-air salon
The heart of the event is Piazza Flavio Gioia, the square in front of the church of Santa Maria Assunta with its famous majolica dome, just a few steps from the Spiaggia Grande. The meetings are held at 9:00 PM: the audience sits outdoors, with the sea behind them and the colorful houses rising toward Monte Comune. Some evenings, when required by the organizers, are hosted in the 'Andrea Milano' hall of the Town Hall, as has happened in previous editions.
How an evening unfolds
- Evening events scheduled between June and July, typically once or twice a week.
- Each meeting revolves around a newly released book, presented by the author in conversation with a journalist or guest.
- Final space for questions from the audience and book signings.
- Free admission subject to availability.
The 2026 theme: «Words in Freedom»
The 34th edition, scheduled from June 11 to July 9, 2026, chose the guiding theme «Words in Freedom», a Futurist formula revisited for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. The theme was re-examined in light of contemporary communication, social networks, and the need to defend critical thinking: what it means to use words freely today, and the responsibilities it entails.
Guests of recent editions
The program alternates between fiction, non-fiction, journalism, and personal memoirs. In 2026, the stage hosted Iva Zanicchi, Paola De Crescenzo with Marisa Laurito, Claudio Cerasa, Antonio Polito, Daria Bignardi with Titta Fiore, and finally Gennaro Sangiuliano and Tommaso Cerno. The 2025 edition, dedicated to Elsa Morante on the fortieth anniversary of her death, hosted Nicola Gratteri, Mario Calabresi, Al Bano, Giulio Napolitano, Paola Calvetti, Enzo Amendola, and Amedeo Colella, among others.
Who organizes it
The festival is promoted by the Mare, Sole e Cultura Cultural Association under the artistic direction of Enzo D'Elia, in collaboration with Mondadori, the Municipality of Positano, and the Salerno Chamber of Commerce, with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the support of the Carisal Foundation. It is a rare formula: a book festival built by a small coastal town that has become a staple of the Campanian summer.
Positano and the Amalfi Coast in summer
Attending a meeting of Sea, Sun and Culture is a unique way to experience the Amalfi Coast: arrive in the late afternoon, head down to the Spiaggia Grande, have dinner in one of the alleyway restaurants, and then take your seat in the square for the talk. In the evening, traffic on the SS163 Amalfi Drive eases, and the village, freed from the daytime crowds, reveals its most authentic side. For those arriving from outside, the sea connection from Salerno remains the most convenient and picturesque option.
Sea, Sun and Culture — edition 2026
«Words in Freedom»: the 34th edition
From June 11 to July 9, 2026, Positano hosted the thirty-fourth edition of Sea, Sun and Culture, six evening events in Piazza Flavio Gioia, all at 9:00 PM and all with free admission. The chosen title, «Words in Freedom», references the famous Futurist formula on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and reinterprets it in light of today's communication: social networks, the speed of information, and the defense of critical thinking.
The program alternated between personal memoirs, political reporting, and civic reflection, confirming the festival's historic formula: an author, a newly released book, a journalist interlocutor, and the audience seated outdoors with the sea of the Amalfi Coast behind them. The edition was curated by the artistic direction of Enzo D'Elia for the Mare, Sole e Cultura Cultural Association, in collaboration with Mondadori, the Municipality of Positano, and the Salerno Chamber of Commerce, with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture.
As every year, the public coming from the provincial capital was able to count on a dedicated sea connection: the Travelmar shuttle departing from Salerno at 5:10 PM and returning from Positano at 11:00 PM, with no intermediate stops.
Programme Sea, Sun and Culture 2026
Program of the 34th edition — Piazza Flavio Gioia, 9:00 PM
- Thursday, June 11 — «The words of memories» : Iva Zanicchi presents Quel profumo di brodo caldo. Opening night.
- Thursday, June 18 — «Tribute to Luciano De Crescenzo» : Paola De Crescenzo with Chi non muore si rivede, together with Marisa Laurito.
- Wednesday, June 24 — «Beyond the word» : Claudio Cerasa, editor of Il Foglio, presents L'antidoto in conversation with Oreste Lo Pomo, director of TG3 Campania.
- Tuesday, June 30 — «The words of resistance» : Antonio Polito with La Costituzione non è di sinistra, in conversation with Oreste Lo Pomo.
- Monday, July 6 — «Words to live in the world» : Daria Bignardi presents Nostra solitudine with Titta Fiore, president of the Campania Region Film Commission.
- Thursday, July 9 — «International secrets» : Gennaro Sangiuliano with Il sultano and Tommaso Cerno with Le ragioni di Giuda. Closing night.
All meetings were held in Piazza Flavio Gioia starting at 9:00 PM with free admission subject to availability.
Highlights Sea, Sun and Culture 2026
- The theme «Words in Freedom» on the 150th anniversary of Marinetti's birth.
- The opening entrusted to Iva Zanicchi, between family memories and popular history.
- The tribute to Luciano De Crescenzo with his daughter Paola and Marisa Laurito.
- Civic and political debate with Claudio Cerasa and Antonio Polito.
- The most literary evening with Daria Bignardi and Titta Fiore.
- The grand finale with Gennaro Sangiuliano and Tommaso Cerno.
- The setting of Piazza Flavio Gioia a stone's throw from the Spiaggia Grande, with the majolica dome of Santa Maria Assunta.
Prices Sea, Sun and Culture 2026
Practical information — Sea, Sun and Culture
How to get there
By car — SS163 Amalfi Drive from Sorrento or Amalfi; access to the center is pedestrian-only, and parking is limited and paid: it is best to arrive early. By bus — SITA Sud lines from Sorrento and Amalfi with stops along the main road. By train — Salerno or Naples Centrale station, then bus or ferry. By sea — seasonal connections from Salerno, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Capri to the Spiaggia Grande pier, just a few meters from Piazza Flavio Gioia.
Evening shuttle from Salerno
In collaboration with Travelmar, a special round-trip service is available for festival attendees: departure from Salerno, Piazza della Concordia, at 5:10 PM and return from Positano at 11:00 PM, with no intermediate stops. Limited seats, booking required.
Admission
The meetings are free and open to everyone, subject to seat availability. Starts at 9:00 PM.
Tips
Bring a light sweater: even in June, a sea breeze reaches the square in the evening. Comfortable shoes are essential for the village stairways. In high season, it is advisable to book accommodation well in advance in Positano, Praiano, or Amalfi.
Contacts
Mare, Sole e Cultura Cultural Association — [email protected] — tel. +39 366 6421650.
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Where does it take place — Sea, Sun and Culture
Piazza Flavio Gioia
Piazza Flavio Gioia, 84017 Positano