Reading Festival
Edition 2026 Storytelling Literature Young audience

Reading Festival

The literary festival at Parco Camuccini, in the heart of the Rieti Sabina region

Cantalupo in Sabina — Rieti (057) Since 2024
Dates 23 Jun — 05 Jul 2026
Location Cantalupo in Sabina (057)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Reading Festival

The Reading Festival in Cantalupo in Sabina is a literary event that transforms Parco Camuccini into an open-air lounge dedicated to books and renowned authors every summer. Now in its third edition in 2026, the event promoted by the Municipality brings writers, journalists, and voices from the Italian cultural scene to the heart of the Rieti Sabina area, featuring evening meetings with free admission. An event that unites reading, dialogue, and community under the stars.

The Reading Festival in Cantalupo in Sabina

In the heart of the Rieti Sabina region, the village of Cantalupo in Sabina (Province of Rieti, Lazio) hosts the Reading Festival every summer, an event dedicated to books, authors, and the pleasure of discussion. The festival, promoted by the Municipality of Cantalupo in Sabina, has chosen the evocative Parco Camuccini as its setting, which for the occasion turns into an open-air literary lounge.

A festival growing edition after edition

Born as a local cultural initiative, the festival has grown rapidly to become a highly anticipated event of the Sabina summer season. In 2026, the festival reached the milestone of its third edition, confirming the format of evening meetings featuring book presentations and dialogues between authors and journalists. Admission is always free, with the aim of spreading culture and involving the community.

Authors, journalists, and great voices

The program brings together leading names from the Italian publishing and journalistic landscape. Guests of recent editions include established writers, authors of novels and current affairs essays, magistrates, and well-known media figures. Each evening features the presentation of a work, followed by an on-stage dialogue that guides the audience in discovering the themes discussed.

An open-air festival under the stars

The choice of Parco Camuccini gives the evenings a cozy and convivial atmosphere: the park's greenery, the coolness of summer evenings, and the proximity between authors and readers create an intimate experience, far from large stages and close to the authentic spirit of the Sabina villages. The festival is also an opportunity to discover Cantalupo in Sabina and its territory, among olive trees, traditions, and hilly landscapes.

A cultural project for the territory

The Reading Festival is part of the municipal administration's desire to make culture an engine for growth and identity for the village. Thanks to the collaboration with local associations and cultural entities, the festival offers free opportunities for meeting and reflection, bringing a wide and diverse audience closer to reading.

Reading Festival — edition 2026

The 2026 edition of the Reading Festival, the third, opened on June 23 at Parco Camuccini with Sigfrido Ranucci and his book "Il ritorno della casta". The main meetings were concentrated in the first weekend of July - Friday the 3rd, Saturday the 4th, and Sunday the 5th - with the participation of Daniele Mencarelli, Nicola Gratteri, and Barbara Alberti. All evenings, with free admission, took place at 7:00 PM.

The third edition of the Reading Festival in Cantalupo in Sabina confirmed the festival's vocation: bringing great books and their authors to Parco Camuccini, in free evenings open to all. After the inauguration on June 23 entrusted to journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, the festival experienced its highlight in the first weekend of July, with three meetings dedicated to novels, current affairs, and reflection on society.

Promoted by the Municipality of Cantalupo in Sabina (Province of Rieti, Lazio), the 2026 edition reaffirmed the free and convivial formula that has made the event a highly anticipated appointment of the Sabina summer.

Programme Reading Festival 2026

Tuesday, June 23, 7:00 PM - Inauguration at Parco Camuccini with Sigfrido Ranucci, presenting the book Il ritorno della casta.

Friday, July 3, 7:00 PM - Daniele Mencarelli presents his latest novel Quattro presunti familiari.

Saturday, July 4, 7:00 PM - Nicola Gratteri presents the book written with Antonio Nicaso Cartelli di sangue. Le rotte del narcotraffico, in dialogue with journalist Daniela Tagliafico.

Sunday, July 5, 7:00 PM - Barbara Alberti closes the festival with Gelosia, in a meeting dedicated to her career and her original view on society.

Highlights Reading Festival 2026

  • Opening night with Sigfrido Ranucci
  • Three major meetings during the weekend of July 3-4-5
  • Guests: Daniele Mencarelli, Nicola Gratteri, and Barbara Alberti
  • Free admission at Parco Camuccini

Prices Reading Festival 2026

All meetings are free of charge.

Practical information — Reading Festival

Location

The meetings are held at Parco Camuccini, in Cantalupo in Sabina (Province of Rieti, Lazio). Evenings generally begin at 7:00 PM.

How to get there

By car: from Rome, you can reach Cantalupo in Sabina in about an hour via the Via Salaria (SS4) or the A1 motorway. By train: the reference station is Poggio Mirteto, on the Rome-Orte line, from which you can continue with a short car ride.

Admission

All meetings are free of charge.

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Where does it take place — Reading Festival

Parco Camuccini

Reading Festival in brief

Storytelling Literature Young audience Family Outdoor Free Participatory Multidisciplinary Rieti