Sulla Felicità Festival

A festival dedicated to happiness

The Sulla Felicità Festival is a cultural event that brings Livorno, in the heart of Tuscany, to life every spring. It stands as the first Italian festival to explore the theme of happiness through the arts, blending theater, discussions, photography, music, and moments of connection. Conceived and directed by Livorno actor and playwright Stefano Santomauro and produced by the Grande Giove Aps association, the festival has grown with each edition to become a nationally recognized event.

Talks, meetings, and guests

The heart of the festival lies in the talks and meetings hosted at the Cinema Teatro 4 Mori on Via Pietro Tacca, the event's main venue. Over the years, the stage has welcomed psychologists, journalists, writers, and entertainers who have explored happiness from diverse perspectives: from psychology to journalistic storytelling, and from the environment to everyday life. Each edition also awards the title of Ambassador of Happiness to a cultural, entertainment, or sports figure who embodies the festival's values.

Urban events and 5&5 Day

Beyond the theater, the festival spills out into the city with participatory events designed for all ages. Among the most anticipated moments is the 5&5 Day at the Terrazza Mascagni, which celebrates the famous Livorno "cinque e cinque"—a chickpea cake sandwich that is a local gastronomic icon—turning it into a collective experience. The program also includes the Bimbimbici bike ride, dedicated to families and children in the spirit of sustainability, along with environmental education initiatives, reflecting the festival's belief that happiness also comes from caring for the earth.

An exhibition capturing happiness

A recurring highlight is the photography exhibition Piccoli scatti rubati di felicità (Small stolen snapshots of happiness), a collection of authentic images capturing moments of joy in the daily lives of ordinary people. It is an artistic and participatory project that invites the public to recognize happiness in the simple gestures of every day.

In Livorno, the city of happiness

With the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the Municipality of Livorno, and the Fondazione Lem, the Sulla Felicità Festival is now a flagship of the local cultural scene. Almost all events are free to attend, confirming the popular and inclusive nature of the festival, which attracts a large and curious audience to the city every year.