RIPIDO Illustration Festival

A widespread festival at the foot of the Dolomites

The RIPIDO Illustration Festival is the premier Italian event dedicated to contemporary illustration, held entirely within the historic center of Brunico (Bruneck), the heart of the Puster Valley in the autonomous province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige. For several weeks in summer, the town transforms into a sprawling gallery: ancient palaces, museum spaces, and studios host exhibitions, original drawings, editorial projects, and installations, inviting residents and tourists to explore the town on foot from one display to the next.

History and identity

The festival was founded in 2022 by local illustrator Giulia Neri, who serves as artistic director alongside Camilla Mineo. The event is organized by the Associazione Culturale Il Telaio ODV. In just a few editions, RIPIDO has become a benchmark for the sector in Italy, bridging the gap between major names in editorial illustration and emerging talent, while exploring experimental graphic research ranging from children's illustration to animation, and conceptual drawing to signature graphic design.

Exhibition venues

The "widespread" format is the festival's hallmark: exhibitions are set up in various locations throughout the center of Brunico, many of which are of great historical and scenic value. Venues featured in past editions include the Messner Mountain Museum, Casa Ragen, the Old Gymnasium (Alte Turnhalle), the Ripido Gallery, Palazzo Sternbach, the Café Atelier Pinta Pichl, and the Civic Museum. This allows the public to discover contemporary illustration while strolling through the town's arcades and alleys, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

A bridge between Italy and Europe

Every year, RIPIDO hosts prominent artists from the Italian and international scenes, alongside collectives, publishing houses, and magazines. The focus is on the quality of the drawing and the variety of languages, from editorial and journalistic illustration to comics, animation, and experimental graphics. Its location in South Tyrol, a borderland with a bilingual culture, reinforces the festival's international vocation.

Why visit

• Free admission to all exhibitions
• A walking route through historic venues in the heart of Brunico
• Major names in Italian and international illustration
• A perfect opportunity to combine contemporary art with a holiday in the Dolomites

Today, the RIPIDO Illustration Festival is one of the most original cultural events of the South Tyrolean summer and an excellent reason to visit the town of Brunico and the Puster Valley.