Ritratti di Poesia
The grand celebration of contemporary poetry at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome
About Ritratti di Poesia
A full day dedicated to poetry in the heart of Rome
Ritratti di Poesia is one of the most anticipated events on the Italian poetic calendar: a true marathon that, in one long day, brings dozens of Italian and international poets to the stage of the Auditorium Conciliazione, located in the Borgo district just a stone's throw from St. Peter's. Promoted and organized by the Fondazione Roma in collaboration with InventaEventi, the event takes place in Rome, Lazio, and has become a landmark for poetry lovers and those eager to discover contemporary verse up close since 2006.
A unique format: ten hours of verse, dialogue, and encounters
The formula that made Ritratti di Poesia famous is the continuous day format: from morning until evening, without interruption, the stage hosts a rotation of readings, conversations, musical interludes, and interdisciplinary reflections. Each edition brings together great names from the international scene and the most significant Italian voices, from established poets to emerging talents. The project is curated by Vincenzo Mascolo, who weaves together a dense and varied program designed to take the audience on a journey through the languages and forms of poetry.
Awards, schools, and new talents
At the heart of the event are the accolades: the Fondazione Roma - Ritratti di Poesia Prize celebrates the great figures of Italian poetry, while the International Prize is dedicated to foreign authors. Alongside the awards, there are competitions involving the public and young people, such as "Ritratti di poesia.280", which challenges participants to compose a text in just 280 characters, and "Ritratti di poesia.si stampi", reserved for unpublished voices under 30. The day traditionally opens with "Caro poeta", an initiative that brings poets into the capital's high schools, introducing students to the power of the poetic word.
An observatory on world poetry
With sections dedicated to international poetry, Ritratti di Poesia opens windows onto diverse traditions, hosting authors from Portugal, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Japan, and Austria. There is no shortage of cross-pollination with other art forms, from music to comics ("poetry comics"), as well as dialogues with scholars and artists. In a city like Rome, where poetry has ancient roots, the event reaffirms that verse is a living tool for dialogue and cultural sharing, capable of crossing eras, borders, and languages.
Why attend
- A rich program with free admission in the monumental heart of Rome.
- The opportunity to hear dozens of Italian and international poets in a single day.
- Awards, competitions, and sections dedicated to young people and emerging poetry.
- An informal and welcoming atmosphere, suitable for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.
Ritratti di Poesia — edition 2026
Ritratti di Poesia 2026: the 19th edition
On Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9:15 AM to 8:30 PM, the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome hosted the nineteenth edition of Ritratti di Poesia, promoted by the Fondazione Roma and curated by Vincenzo Mascolo. With the theme "Traveling with Poetry" and marking the twentieth anniversary (POESIA 2006-2026), the day featured over fifty Italian and international guests on stage.
Among the protagonists were the American Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jorie Graham, the Portuguese poet and cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the Japanese poet Koike Masayo, and the French scholar Jean-Charles Vegliante, alongside Italian voices such as Vittorio Lingiardi, Wanda Marasco, and Ida Travi. The event concluded with a meeting and a live voice-and-guitar set by Paola Turci.
Awards, competitions, and young voices
The day saw the presentation of the Fondazione Roma - Ritratti di Poesia Prize and the corresponding International Prize, alongside the "Ritratti di poesia.280" and "Ritratti di poesia.si stampi" competitions, the latter dedicated to unpublished poets under 30. As per tradition, the opening was entrusted to "Caro poeta," the meeting with students from the capital's high schools, while the "Poesia sconfinata" and "Di penna in penna" sections gave voice to international and Italian poetry.
Information
- Date: April 10, 2026, 9:15 AM - 8:30 PM
- Location: Auditorium Conciliazione, Via della Conciliazione 4, Rome
- Admission: Free subject to availability
Programme Ritratti di Poesia 2026
Day structure (April 10, 2026, 9:15 AM - 8:30 PM)
- Caro poeta - inaugural meeting with students from Roman high schools (Niccolò Machiavelli, Vittoria Colonna, Tullio Colonna, Tullio Levi Civita).
- Poesia sconfinata - six sections dedicated to international poetry, with authors from Portugal, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Japan, and Austria.
- Di penna in penna - panels dedicated to contemporary Italian poetry.
- Poetry comics and interdisciplinary dialogues.
- Awards: Fondazione Roma - Ritratti di Poesia Prize, International Prize, "Ritratti di poesia.280" and "Ritratti di poesia.si stampi" competitions.
- Closing: meeting with Paola Turci and live voice-and-guitar set.
Over 50 guests, including Jorie Graham, José Tolentino de Mendonça, Koike Masayo, Jean-Charles Vegliante, Vittorio Lingiardi, Wanda Marasco, Ida Travi, Nicola Bultrini, Matteo Bianchi, Hannah Sullivan, Raoul Schrott, and the Strega Poesia finalists.
Highlights Ritratti di Poesia 2026
- Twentieth anniversary of the event: "Traveling with Poetry", POESIA 2006-2026.
- Over 50 guests from Italy and the world in a single day.
- Pulitzer Prize winner Jorie Graham and cardinal-poet José Tolentino de Mendonça among the international guests.
- Closing with Paola Turci in a live voice-and-guitar set.
Prices Ritratti di Poesia 2026
Practical information — Ritratti di Poesia
Location
Auditorium Conciliazione, Via della Conciliazione 4, 00193 Rome (Borgo district), Lazio.
How to get there
By Metro: Line A, Ottaviano - San Pietro stop, then a 10-minute walk. By Train: Roma San Pietro station or Roma Termini with a connection via metro/bus. By Bus: Numerous lines serve the Piazza Pia and Castel Sant'Angelo area. We recommend using public transport due to traffic restrictions near the Vatican.
Tickets
Free admission subject to availability. The event is also usually streamed live on RAI Cultura.
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Where does it take place — Ritratti di Poesia
Auditorium Conciliazione
Via della Conciliazione 4, 00193 Roma