RARO – Creative & Cultural Work Festival
In Morcone, the festival that frames culture as real work, spanning libraries, independent publishing, fine crafts, dance, and music.
About RaRo Festival
A festival that puts creative work at the center
RARO – Creative & Cultural Work Festival was born in the summer of 2024 in Morcone, in the province of Benevento, and presents itself as the first European festival entirely dedicated to creative and cultural work. The name itself explains the project: RaRo is formed from the syllables of cultuRA (culture) and lavoRO (work), two words that are rarely spoken together in Italy. The underlying idea is both simple and ambitious: culture is neither an expense nor a pastime, but a productive sector that generates employment, skills, and a future, especially in the villages of the Campanian Apennines.
The festival is promoted by Kinetès – Art. Culture. Research. Enterprise., a cultural enterprise active since 2016 as an academic spin-off of the University of Sannio, founded and directed by Rossella Del Prete, a professor of Economic History. Kinetès has been working for years on the relationship between culture and work in the inland areas of Southern Italy, and RARO serves as the public showcase for that research.
Morcone, a Sannio village turned stage
Morcone is one of the most evocative villages in inland Campania: a historic center perched in the Tammaro Valley, made of narrow alleys, arches, and countless stone staircases descending toward the valley. During the festival, this urban fabric becomes the venue itself: the Church of Sant'Onofrio, the San Bernardino Auditorium, the Kinetès Library on Via Sant'Onofrio, the squares, and the streets of the village—including Via Bonaparte—host meetings, exhibitions, workshops, and performances just a few dozen meters from one another.
A key identity element of the first editions was the restoration of an ancient tailor's shop in the historic center, returned to the community as a creative laboratory for artisanal production and artistic training: a concrete example of urban regeneration through cultural work.
Libraries, archives, and independent publishing
One of the cornerstones of RARO concerns documentary heritage and the craft of those who preserve it. The panels dedicated to libraries and librarians, archives, conservation, and restoration address the professional issues of the sector without rhetoric: required skills, economic sustainability, and the relationship with new generations of readers. In 2026, the festival added the first Independent Publishing Fair, with publishers hosted at the San Bernardino Auditorium, and an exhibition path of manuscripts restored thanks to the collaboration with the Fondazione Banco di Napoli.
Fine crafts, tailoring, and jewelry
The other major theme is that of excellence in craftsmanship. Tailoring, jewelry, design, and Made in Italy are not presented as folklore, but as productive supply chains: the focus is on training, generational turnover, and the relationship between university research and business. Professors, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives sit at the tables alongside social tailoring workshops, which were the protagonists of the 2025 edition with their national network.
Dance, music, theater, and literature
The study days conclude each evening with performances. RARO has brought the Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo of Naples to Morcone, the oldest dance academy in Italy, as well as Mediterranean-style concerts, civic theater, literary readings, and book presentations with nationally renowned authors. This is the moment when the festival opens up to the whole town, and the reflection on work becomes a shared emotion.
The awards
- Elda Rubbo Award — recognition dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship and fine arts.
- Women in Business Award — dedicated to female entrepreneurship and women's excellence in creative work.
A solid institutional network
A network of partners has been built around RARO, giving the festival a national profile: the Ministry of Culture, universities, CNR, ALES, Federculture, Fondazione Banco di Napoli, Symbola, CNA Federmoda, and ADEI. An unusual structure for a village of a few thousand inhabitants, and one of the reasons why the festival has become a reference point in the debate on cultural and creative industries in Southern Italy.
Why it's worth attending
Those who arrive in Morcone during RARO find a festival that resembles no other in the Sannio region: not a food festival and not just a music review, but a workshop of ideas where researchers, artisans, dancers, and administrators truly engage with one another, in a village that lights up with voices until late into the summer evenings.
RaRo Festival — edition 2026
The theme: "Freedom from... Freedom to..."
The third edition of RARO, presented in Benevento at the Antum Hotel and held in Morcone from July 9th to 11th, 2026, chose the title "Freedom from... Freedom to... experience, creativity, and enterprise." A declaration of method, as defined by director Rossella Del Prete: freedom from the marginality and invisibility of inland territories, freedom to produce, create, and imagine development starting from culture understood as real work and recognizable skill. "Culture is not a cost, but an investment" is the phrase that accompanied the entire edition.
A multi-disciplinary program
Over three days, the festival traversed libraries and archives, independent publishing, performing arts, dance, music, design, tailoring, jewelry, cinema, and literature, with venues spread throughout the historic center of Morcone: the new Kinetès Library on Via Sant'Onofrio, the Church of Sant'Onofrio, the San Bernardino Auditorium, Via Bonaparte, and the BREW SOV Tap Room.
New features of 2026
- The inauguration of the Kinetès Library, a new permanent cultural outpost for the village.
- The first Independent Publishing Fair at the San Bernardino Auditorium.
- The exhibition of restored manuscripts from the Fondazione Banco di Napoli.
- The fiftieth anniversary of the Accademia Murgantina, celebrated on the opening day.
The guests
Among the speakers and guests of the edition: Gianpaolo Manzella (vice-president of SVIMEZ), Domenico Sturabotti (director of Symbola), Francesco Spano (director of Federculture), Giovanni Iannelli (ALES), Rai journalist Ilaria Grillini, Renato Zanella, director of the Ballet of the Teatro di San Carlo, writer Maurizio de Giovanni, and journalist Carlo Puca, the festival's testimonial.
A national partner network
The edition saw the support of the Ministry of Culture, universities, CNR, ALES, Federculture, Fondazione Banco di Napoli, Symbola, CNA Federmoda, and ADEI: a relational capital that confirmed Morcone as a stable venue for a festival of national scope.
Programme RaRo Festival 2026
Thursday, July 9 — libraries, archives, and publishing
- 10:00 AM — Inauguration of the Kinetès Library on Via Sant'Onofrio, with a theatrical performance.
- 10:30 AM — Church of Sant'Onofrio: panel "Libraries and Librarians" with Claudia Cioffi, Milena Tancredi, Maria Pia Cacace, and author Malusa Kosgran; focusing on the role of librarians in promoting reading among the youth.
- In the afternoon — Reading workshop for children with Malusa Kosgran at the library.
- 6:00 PM — Elda Rubbo Award for excellence in craftsmanship.
- Throughout the day — Opening of the first Independent Publishing Fair at the San Bernardino Auditorium, with Diecilune, Edizioni Primavera, Realtà Sannita, Scripta Manent, Terra Somnia, Terre Blu, Il Filo di Partenope, and IBC Edizioni; celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Accademia Murgantina.
Friday, July 10 — culture, archives, and enterprise
- 11:30 AM — Panel "The business of making books," with regional institutions and representatives of publishing associations.
- Throughout the day — Panels on culture, archives, enterprise, and sustainable development: documentary heritage, conservation, restoration, cultural industry, and professional skills; the "Invisible Protagonists" cycle continues.
- In the evening — "Io, Massimo Rao," an artist's life story by and with Antimo Buonanno: civic theater and memory.
- In the evening — Concert by M'Barka Ben Taleb with "Inversa Africa": voice, percussion, harp, cello, and accordion in a single Mediterranean breath.
Saturday, July 11 — Made in Italy, dance, and female entrepreneurship
- Morning — Panel on creative craftsmanship and Campanian tailoring with Dolores Morelli (University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli), Antonio La Sala (Sapienza), Giovanna Basile (Salerno Design Week), and Gianpiero Cozza (Napoli Couture).
- Morning — Panel on the Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest dance academy in Italy, with Maria Venuso, Francesco Cotticelli, Roberta Albano (National Dance Academy), Edmondo Tucci, and Renato Zanella.
- Afternoon — "Women in Business" networking session with entrepreneurs, managers, and scholars; Rosanna Filosa (University of Sannio) on the culture of care; Ilaria Grillini presents the book "Le donne di Carlo."
- Afternoon — Literary meetings and readings, with the participation of Maurizio de Giovanni.
- Evening — Via Bonaparte: "Handmade that moves you," a showcase of handmade crafts, and presentation of the Women in Business Award.
- Evening — BREW SOV Tap Room: Antimo Buonanno in "Favola Partenopea," irreverent and cultured cabaret, with craft beer tasting.
Highlights RaRo Festival 2026
- Inauguration of the Kinetès Library, a new cultural outpost in Morcone.
- First Independent Publishing Fair at the San Bernardino Auditorium.
- Concert by M'Barka Ben Taleb with "Inversa Africa."
- "Io, Massimo Rao" by and with Antimo Buonanno: civic theater and memory.
- Panel on the Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo with Renato Zanella.
- Elda Rubbo Award for excellence in craftsmanship and Women in Business Award.
- Literary meeting with Maurizio de Giovanni.
- Restored manuscripts from the Fondazione Banco di Napoli on display.
Prices RaRo Festival 2026
Practical information — RaRo Festival
How to get there
Morcone is located in the north of the province of Benevento, in the Tammaro Valley. By car: from the A1 motorway, take the Caianello exit and then the SS372 Telesina, or from the A16 motorway, take the Benevento exit and the SS87 toward Campobasso; it is about 35 km from Benevento. By train: the reference station is Benevento Centrale, then take a bus connection to Morcone. Nearest airport: Naples Capodichino (about 90 km).
Where it takes place
The venues are all in the historic center and within walking distance: San Bernardino Auditorium, Church of Sant'Onofrio, Kinetès Library on Via Sant'Onofrio, Via Bonaparte, and the village squares. Please note the numerous stone staircases: comfortable shoes are recommended.
Admission
Meetings, panels, and the publishing fair are announced by the organizers as open to everyone; for some workshops and evening performances, it is advisable to check access and booking procedures in advance.
Contacts
Kinetès – Arte. Cultura. Ricerca. Impresa., Via Salvator Rosa 27, Benevento. Phone +39 328 0095222 / +39 320 0359276, e-mail [email protected], information and program at kinetes.com.
Tips
The festival takes place in mid-summer: the days are hot, but the evenings in the village, at over 600 meters above sea level, are pleasant. It is worth combining your visit with a gastronomic stop at the local trattorias and a walk toward the old Capuchin convent.
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Where does it take place — RaRo Festival
Centro storico di Morcone (Auditorium San Bernardino, Chiesa di Sant'Onofrio, Biblioteca di Kinetès)