Spring Library Festival

A month of books, colors, and emotions in Capranica

With the arrival of spring, the "A. Signoretti" Municipal Library in Capranica, a village in the Tuscia region of Viterbo, transforms into a small kingdom of stories. The Spring Library Festival is an event entirely dedicated to children, offering read-aloud sessions, art workshops, and performances throughout May to introduce kids to the world of books in a fun and engaging way. Now in its third edition in 2026, the event has become a landmark for local families.

The program of the third edition

From May 4th to 26th, 2026, the Piersanti Mattarella Civic Center hosts a packed calendar of events. Mornings are reserved for local school students, from preschool to middle school, while afternoons are open to families from 4:45 PM to 5:45 PM. Highlights include:

• Monday, May 4th - Accarezzalibro, tactile reading sessions by Alessandra Baschieri of the Equilibri Cooperative in Modena;
• Thursday, May 14th - Read-aloud sessions for toddlers (ages 3-6) with volunteers from the Nati per Leggere group;
• Thursday, May 21st - Kamishibai, the evocative paper theater where stories come to life, presented by Armando Di Marino;
• Monday, May 25th - Animals inside and outside books, readings and an art workshop (ages 6-9) with author and illustrator Cristina Petit.

Read-aloud sessions and Nati per Leggere

The heart of the festival is the national Nati per Leggere project, carried out in Capranica by a group of volunteer readers who guide children on a journey of stories, emotions, and colors. The activities alternate between listening moments, reading games, and small hands-on workshops, with the goal of helping children discover the joy of books as a tool for growth and connection from early childhood.

Guests and performances

Each edition brings authors, illustrators, and artists from the Italian children's publishing scene to the library. In 2026, the guest of honor is Cristina Petit, a teacher and author of over a hundred children's books translated into various languages, while the Japanese kamishibai paper theater offers one of the most poetic moments of the calendar. All events are free to attend, with some requiring booking due to limited capacity.

Capranica, Tuscia, and Lazio

Nestled between the Cimini Mountains, a short distance from Lake Vico, Capranica is one of the most characteristic villages in the Viterbo Tuscia region, in northern Lazio. The Spring Library Festival is part of the town's vibrant cultural life and offers a great opportunity to explore the historic center, combining a visit to the village with an experience dedicated to families with children.