Storie al Castello (Festival delle Storie Preview)
The Festival delle Storie preview featuring AI, space, and the future in Piazza Roma, Belmonte Castello
About Storie al Castello
Storie al Castello, the Festival delle Storie preview
Storie al Castello is the official preview of the Festival delle Storie, the historic itinerant festival that travels through the villages of the Val di Comino in the heart of Ciociaria every summer. The event takes place in Belmonte Castello, a small town in the Province of Frosinone, Lazio, and anticipates the themes and spirit of the main edition held in August across various towns in the valley.
Two evenings dedicated to the future
In 2026, the preview brings two evenings of talks and outreach to Piazza Roma, centered on the theme of the future within reach. Journalists, scholars, and professionals take the stage to discuss the great transformations of our time: from artificial intelligence to space geopolitics, and from the influencer phenomenon to the world of print typefaces and typography. The meetings are coordinated in the festival's signature style by artistic director Vittorio Macioce.
The Festival delle Storie
The Festival delle Storie is an itinerant cultural festival that has become a landmark for the Val di Comino and the entire province of Frosinone over the years. Its format combines storytelling, meetings with authors and journalists, music, and reflection, encouraging the public to travel from village to village. The 2026 main edition, scheduled from August 23 to 29 in various towns of the valley, is dedicated to the Canticle of the Creatures, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
A village that embraces culture
For two nights, the preview transforms the main square of Belmonte Castello into a small open-air lounge where the public can listen, engage, and debate with voices from Italian journalism and popular science. The choice of a secluded Ciociarian village gives the meetings an intimate and participatory atmosphere, quite different from large urban festivals.
A free event for everyone
Storie al Castello events are free to attend and take place in the evening, when the summer temperature makes it pleasant to stay in the square. It is an ideal occasion for those who love culture, science, and current affairs, as well as for those wishing to discover an authentic corner of inland Lazio, far from the most beaten paths.
Storie al Castello — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Storie al Castello took place on July 4 and 5 in Piazza Roma, Belmonte Castello, as a preview of the Festival delle Storie. The program brought together journalists and speakers around themes of the present and future, from artificial intelligence to space geopolitics, and the world of influencers and typography. The festival's main edition was then held from August 23 to 29, 2026, in various towns of the Val di Comino.
Programme Storie al Castello 2026
Saturday, July 4
- 19:00 — Presentation of the 2026 edition with artistic director Vittorio Macioce and opening toast
- 21:00 — "Face to face with artificial intelligence", with Alessio Jacona (journalist, contributor to ANSA, Corriere della Sera, and Wired Italia) and Marco Lombardo
- 22:00 — "Dreaming of the moon. Space geopolitics", with Emilio Cozzi (journalist for Forbes Italia, expert in Space Economy)
Sunday, July 5
- 19:00 — "Who are influencers really?", with Daniele Morgera and Emanuela Ronzitti (Rai journalists), followed by a talk by advertiser Pasquale Diaferia, creator of campaigns for Breil, Barilla, and Peroni
- 21:00 — "The world of print typefaces", with typographer Patrizia Pfenninger
Highlights Storie al Castello 2026
- Opening toast and presentation of the 2026 edition with Vittorio Macioce
- Meeting on artificial intelligence with Alessio Jacona
- "Dreaming of the moon": space geopolitics explained by Emilio Cozzi
- The influencer phenomenon with Rai journalists and advertiser Pasquale Diaferia
- A journey into the world of typography and print typefaces
Prices Storie al Castello 2026
Practical information — Storie al Castello
How to get there
Belmonte Castello is located in the Val di Comino, in the Province of Frosinone (Lazio). By car, it can be reached from the A1 motorway (Cassino or Pontecorvo–Castrocielo exits), continuing towards the valley. The most convenient train station is Cassino, on the Rome–Naples line, from where you can continue by car.
Location
The meetings are held in Piazza Roma, in the center of the village.
Admission
Free admission. The events take place in the evening.
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Where does it take place — Storie al Castello
Piazza Roma
Piazza Roma, 03040 Belmonte Castello