RadicalMente Festival
The literary festival for the regeneration of inland areas
About RadicalMente
Culture as a driver of rebirth
The RadicalMente Festival is the literary event of Castel del Giudice, a village in the Upper Molise region in the province of Isernia, dedicated to using thought and culture as tools for the regeneration of rural areas. For two days, the Borgotufi scattered hotel transforms into a true literary village, with its panoramic square overlooking the woods and mountains of the Molise-Abruzzo Apennines.
Guests and meetings
The festival brings nationally renowned writers, journalists, and intellectuals to this small Molise town. The heart of the event lies in the Radical talks, featuring meetings with authors and their books, accompanied by music, dramatic readings, and numerous side activities. The artistic direction is led by Luciana Petrocelli.
More than just meetings
Alongside the author sessions, RadicalMente offers side activities within the Borgotufi scattered hotel, such as dramatic readings and a permanent podcast station managed by the Teatro Italo Argentino of Agnone, calligraphy workshops, photography and comic book exhibitions, face painting, and activities for children. Between one page and the next, conversations are enlivened by the best local street food.
RadicalMente Festival is a literary event directed by Luciana Petrocelli and promoted by the Centro Studi Casa Frezza in collaboration with the Municipality of Castel del Giudice, the Pro Loco "G. Caldora", the Ministry of Culture, Borgotufi Albergo Diffuso, and the Società Dante Alighieri. It is part of the cultural programming of the project "Castel del Giudice: Center of (Re)Generation of the Apennines", with which the Municipality won the Borghi Call, Line A of the PNRR.
A model for Molise
RadicalMente confirms the role of culture in the rebirth of the villages of Upper Molise. Admission is free, and reservations are recommended.
RadicalMente — edition 2026
The RadicalMente Festival returns to Castel del Giudice (IS) on July 11 and 12, 2026, for its fourth edition. Promoted by the Centro Studi Casa Frezza and the Municipality of Castel del Giudice, with artistic direction by Luciana Petrocelli, the festival once again chooses one of the most significant villages for Apennine regeneration as the setting for two days of reflection and discussion on major contemporary issues. The fourth edition is dedicated to Alessio and Simone Gentile.
Programme RadicalMente 2026
Journalist and TV host Domenico Iannacone, journalist and writer Concita De Gregorio, historian and TV presenter Michela Ponzani, writer, politician, and poet Nichi Vendola, writer Giulia Della Cioppa, former footballer Billy Costacurta, and tennis player Vittorio Rubino are just some of the names who will grace the stage at the fourth edition of the RadicalMente Festival, scheduled for July 11 and 12, 2026, in Castel del Giudice.
Highlights of the event include the Radical talks and meetings with authors and their books. There will also be room for music, with a concert by Filippo Graziani, and various side activities: staged readings and a permanent podcast station hosted by the Teatro Italo Argentino of Agnone, calligraphy workshops, photography and comic book exhibitions, face painting, and activities for children. Between readings, conversations will be accompanied by the best local street food.
The panoramic square of the Borgotufi scattered hotel, overlooking the woods and mountains of the Molise-Abruzzo Apennines, will welcome the public to celebrate the beauty of thought that awakens and stirs consciences. This concept is part of the broader process of social, economic, sustainable, and cultural regeneration underway in the area, following the actions of the "Castel del Giudice: Center for (Re)generation of the Apennines" project, with which the Municipality won the PNRR Borghi Call, Line A.
Highlights RadicalMente 2026
Literary village in Borgotufi; meetings with nationally renowned authors (Domenico Iannacone, Concita De Gregorio, Michela Ponzani, Nichi Vendola, Billy Costacurta); concert by Filippo Graziani; calligraphy workshops, staged readings, permanent podcast station, photography and comic exhibitions, face painting, children's activities, and street food.
Prices RadicalMente 2026
Practical information — RadicalMente
How to get there
Castel del Giudice can be reached by car from the SS652 Fondo Valle del Sangro.
Admission
Free, with booking recommended for the meetings.
Where
The events take place in the square and in the spaces of the Borgotufi scattered hotel.
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Where does it take place — RadicalMente
Borgotufi Albergo Diffuso
Borgotufi Albergo Diffuso, 86080 Castel del Giudice