Readings from the Woods - Winter Edition in Naples

The woods come to the city

Readings from the Woods is a literary festival founded in 2023 among the beech trees of Piana dei Vaccari, at Lago Laceno, in the lush heart of Irpinia. Every year, on the third Sunday of July, the audience gathers among the trees to read aloud excerpts from works by authors from Campania. Since January 2026, the project has had a second home: Naples, where the festival brings its winter edition, hosted by Libreria Raffaello in the Vomero district. This marks a milestone in consolidating Readings from the Woods as a permanent cultural project, capable of bridging the gap between inland areas, the city, publishers, and readers.

A festival that puts readers first

The formula is simple, which is exactly why it works: there are no academic lectures or panels of speakers. Participants can choose to read a page in front of others or simply listen. The organizers' stated goal is to restore the oral and collective dimension of reading—the tradition of shared stories and popular memory—and to foster a dialogue between the Campania hinterland and its capital. It is no coincidence that the authors selected are almost always from Campania, published by local publishing houses.

The Neapolitan stop at Libreria Raffaello

The chosen venue is no accident: the Libreria Raffaello on Via Michele Kerbaker, just a few steps from Piazza Vanvitelli, has been a neighborhood landmark for decades, with its bookshelves, literary café, and author meetings. In the Municipality of Naples, the capital of Campania and the Metropolitan City of the same name, Vomero is the city's most vibrant hillside district: it is easily accessible by metro or funicular, and the late afternoon event is perfect for a stroll between Piazza Vanvitelli, Villa Floridiana, and the Certosa di San Martino.

Readings, authors, and Campania publishing

During the winter edition on January 31, 2026, excerpts were read aloud from Racconti dall'Irpinia by Giuseppe Tecce (Graus Edizioni) and Fari dell'anima. Raggi di luce e memorie (Apeiron Edizioni), a collective volume presented alongside Maria Rosaria Paolella and Giovanni Canestrelli. The festival collaborates consistently with independent publishers in Campania, from Graus Edizioni and Apeiron Edizioni to Marotta & Cafiero, with the event hosted by Grazia Caruso.

The Special Awards

Part of the afternoon is dedicated to the Readings from the Woods Special Awards, presented to individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves in promoting culture and enhancing the territory. In the Neapolitan leg, the following were awarded:

• the Naples Book Club, for its work in promoting reading in the city;
• Prof. Antonio Trillicoso, writer and educator;
• Prof. Giuseppe Acocella, Rector of the Università Giustino Fortunato;
• journalist and literary critic Rosa Bianco.

Behind the scenes

The festival is conceived and directed by writer Giuseppe Tecce and is promoted by the Associazione Ver Sacrum Arte Cultura e Società - Cinthia APS. Born as a spontaneous, self-funded project, it is now one of the most original cultural experiences in the Campania region: the 2026 summer edition at Lago Laceno received the High Patronage of the European Parliament.

Who is it for?

This event is perfect for those who love books without the formality: curious readers, book clubs, students, or even those just passing through Vomero for an afternoon of shopping who want to stop for an hour to hear something different. No booking or prior knowledge of the texts is required: just walk in, take a seat, and if you feel like it, read.