Prospero Fest – Authors, Ideas, and Books Festival

A festival of books and ideas at the Old Port of Monopoli

Prospero Fest is the cultural event that transforms the Old Port of Monopoli into a grand open-air stage for authors, ideas, and books every June. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, nestled between colorful fishing boats and the city's ancient walls, the festival offers meetings, dialogues, and presentations with some of Italy's most renowned writers, journalists, and intellectuals. The formula is simple and engaging: several consecutive evenings, each with two sessions, designed to spark questions, inspire new visions, and broaden cultural horizons.

Among Italy's top fifty festivals

For two consecutive years, Prospero Fest has been selected as one of the top fifty festivals in Italy by the "Luci sui Festival" project of the Turin International Book Fair. This recognition confirms the growth of an event that began as a local initiative and has become a major attraction for the entire Apulian and national cultural scene, drawing thousands of participants each year.

Themes spanning current events, literature, and civic engagement

Each edition focuses on the major themes of the present: current affairs and organized crime, geopolitics and media, mental health, women's rights, philosophy, and memory. Alongside books, the festival features theater, live storytelling, and investigative journalism, creating a multidisciplinary experience. Dialogue with the audience and younger generations is a fundamental part of the program.

An event by the Municipality of Monopoli, in Puglia

The festival is promoted by the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Monopoli and produced by the "Prospero Rendella" Civic Library, from which it takes its name. It is a key part of the city's cultural calendar in the province of Bari, helping to highlight Monopoli as one of the most vibrant destinations on the Apulian Adriatic coast, with its historic center, cathedral, and seaside villages. Every summer, Puglia finds here a meeting place for culture and community.

Free admission by the sea

All Prospero Fest events are free to attend, subject to availability. The setting of the Old Port, with its sunset over the sea and the evening breeze, makes every appointment a unique opportunity to combine culture, social interaction, and the beauty of the location.