Stregherie — Literary Alchemy Festival
Literary alchemy on the Scalinata dei Lettori in Bisceglie
About Stregherie
Literary alchemy in Bisceglie
Stregherie is one of the most anticipated literary festivals of the Apulian summer. Born in Bisceglie, in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, it takes place in the evocative setting of the Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro, on the so-called Scalinata dei Lettori: an open-air staircase overlooking the harbor that fills up every evening with audiences eager to listen to writers, journalists, and key figures of Italian culture.
The title plays on the word "strega" (witch) and the concept of alchemy: the magic born from the encounter between a book and its readers. Each evening is structured as a dialogue, where the author presents their work alongside a journalist or guest who guides the narrative, often accompanied by dramatic readings and musical interludes.
The Premio Strega Tour in Bisceglie
The heart of the festival is the Apulian stop of the Premio Strega Tour: Stregherie is, in fact, the only date in Puglia that hosts the finalists of Italy's most important literary award. On the final evening, the candidates take the stage on the Scalinata dei Lettori to present their competing novels, engaging in a direct dialogue with the public that represents one of the highlights of the entire city summer.
A community event
Organized by the Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro, the festival has successfully built a loyal and diverse audience over the years, with many sold-out evenings and thousands of total attendees. Admission is free, confirming its popular and inclusive mission: to bring great contemporary literature to the heart of Bisceglie, for free and in the open air.
- Where: Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro, Scalinata dei Lettori, Bisceglie (BT)
- When: Mid-June, four evenings
- Admission: Free
- Time: Doors open at 8:30 PM, events start at 9:00 PM
For the city of Bisceglie and all of Puglia, Stregherie has become a summer ritual: a way to experience literature as a collective event, in a place that symbolizes the bond between the community and the sea.
Stregherie — edition 2026
The sixth edition of Stregherie confirmed the festival's success, with over 5,000 attendees across the four evenings and several sold-out events on the Scalinata dei Lettori of the Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro in Bisceglie. A high-profile lineup, featuring some of the most well-known names on the Italian literary and cultural scene, paved the way for the traditional Apulian stop of the Premio Strega Tour.
Doors opened to the public every evening at 8:30 PM with events starting at 9:00 PM, with free admission. The final evening on June 18, dedicated to the six finalists of the 2026 Premio Strega, once again represented the highlight of the event.
Programme Stregherie 2026
Monday, June 15 — Concita De Gregorio
- 8:30 PM — Doors open
- 9:00 PM — Concita De Gregorio presents the novel «La cura» (Einaudi), in dialogue with singer-songwriter Erica Mou, for a reflection on openness to others as an act of love
Tuesday, June 16 — Walter Veltroni
- 9:00 PM — Walter Veltroni presents «Il bar di Cinecittà» (HarperCollins), in conversation with Antonio Decaro and Anna Puricella, a journey into the dream factory of cinema (sold-out evening)
Wednesday, June 17 — Niccolò Ammaniti
- 9:00 PM — Niccolò Ammaniti presents the novel «Il custode» (Einaudi), accompanied by Antonella Lattanzi
Thursday, June 18 — Premio Strega Tour 2026
The only Apulian stop of the Premio Strega Tour, featuring the six finalists of the 2026 edition:
- Elena Rui — Vedove di Camus
- Teresa Ciabatti — Donnaregina
- Michele Mari — I convitati di Pietra
- Bianca Pitzorno — La sonnambula
- Matteo Nucci — Platone. Una storia d'amore
- Alcide Pierantozzi — Lo sbilico
Highlights Stregherie 2026
Prices Stregherie 2026
Practical information — Stregherie
How to get there
The Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro are located in the harbor area of Bisceglie (BT). By car, take the Bisceglie exit from the SS16 Adriatica; the Bisceglie train station, on the Bari-Foggia line, is just a few minutes' walk from the center and the marina.
Admission and times
Admission to the events is free. The evenings are held outdoors on the Scalinata dei Lettori: doors open to the public at 8:30 PM, with events starting at 9:00 PM. We recommend arriving early as the evenings often sell out.
Tips
As this is an evening outdoor event by the sea, it is useful to bring a light jacket. There is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the historic center of Bisceglie to round off the evening.
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Where does it take place — Stregherie
Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro — Scalinata dei Lettori
Vecchie Segherie Mastrototaro, Via Nazario Sauro, 76011 Bisceglie