Telesia for Peoples
Four days of shows, music, and solidarity at the Parco delle Terme in Telese Terme
About Telesia for Peoples
A festival born to unite peoples
Telesia for Peoples is the summer event that transforms the Parco delle Terme in Telese Terme into a meeting place dedicated to cultural integration and the spirit of solidarity. The festival takes place in the town of Telese Terme, in the province of Benevento, in the heart of the Valle Telesina, and has become one of the most iconic events of the summer in Campania. Promoted by the Italian-American association Icosit in collaboration with the Migrantes Foundation of the CEI, the festival was founded with a clear goal: to raise public awareness on the crucial topic of integration and hospitality.
The Parco delle Terme, the event's backdrop
Telese Terme is one of the best-known spa towns in the Sannio region, and its expansive park, with its tree-lined avenues and open-air amphitheater, is the natural home for the festival. The evenings are held under the stars in a space that can accommodate large crowds, becoming the "living room" of the Valle Telesina during July nights: families, young people, local associations, and visitors from neighboring towns gather here to enjoy the performances and institutional moments.
The Telesia for Peoples Award
The most anticipated moment is the presentation of the Telesia for Peoples Award, which takes place on the final evening. The award is given to individuals from the worlds of the Church, institutions, politics, media, arts, business, research, and academia who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to the vulnerable. Over the years, the award has brought well-known figures from national news, journalism, and civil society to Telese Terme, giving the event a resonance that extends far beyond the provincial borders.
Shows, music, and social commitment
The program alternates between different styles, attracting a diverse audience:
- Cabaret evenings featuring comedians from the Neapolitan and Campanian tradition;
- Solidarity concerts with polyphonic choirs and orchestras, often featuring dozens of musicians on stage;
- Evenings dedicated to young people, with rappers and artists from the contemporary Neapolitan scene;
- Awareness-raising moments on legality, volunteering, health, and inclusion, with the participation of various associations and foundations;
- Collateral initiatives such as chess exhibitions, institutional meetings, and villages dedicated to local agri-food products.
A free event supported by the local community
Telesia for Peoples is a free-admission event: access to the shows is free until capacity is reached. The festival is sponsored by the Municipality of Telese Terme, the Province of Benevento, and the Campania Region, with the support of local entities such as the Pro Loco Telesia, ANCE Benevento, and Coldiretti Benevento. It is this strong local connection that allows the festival to remain free while hosting nationally renowned names every year.
Why visit Telese Terme in July
Those who arrive for Telesia for Peoples find much more than just an evening of entertainment: they discover the Sannio Beneventano region, filled with historic villages, vineyards, and spa traditions. The festival is the perfect opportunity to explore Telese Terme and the Valle Telesina during one of the most vibrant times of the year, combining evening leisure with daytime walks in the park and excursions to nearby towns. It is an event that, in just a few July evenings, manages to blend entertainment, culture, and social commitment.
Telesia for Peoples — edition 2026
An edition dedicated to the "Domenico Caliendo" Foundation
The 13th edition of Telesia for Peoples, held from July 9 to 12, 2026, in the Parco delle Terme of Telese Terme, was dedicated to the "Domenico Caliendo" Foundation, established in memory of a child who was a victim of alleged medical malpractice, with the aim of creating an assistance fund for children needing organ transplants or affected by medical negligence. His parents, Patrizia Mercolino and Antonio Caliendo, were the guests of honor at the closing ceremony.
From the preview in Benevento to the awards
The festival opened on Thursday, July 9, with an institutional preview at the Rocca dei Rettori, the seat of the Province of Benevento, in the presence of, among others, Provincial President Nino Lombardi and the Mayor of Telese Terme, Giovanni Caporaso. The following three evenings took place in the thermal park, featuring cabaret by Ciro Giustiniani, a solidarity concert with about sixty musicians and choristers, and, on Sunday, July 12, the Telesia for Peoples Award ceremony, now in its ninth year.
The 2026 Award Winners
The award was presented to Clemente Mastella (Mayor of Benevento, institutions category), Oreste Vigorito (President of Benevento Calcio, for sports), Vincenzo Di Vincenzo (Director of "Il Mattino"), Vito Antonio Primiceri (President of Banca Popolare Pugliese), Gianluigi Ardissino (Policlinico di Milano), and Flavian Basile (Offtec of Benevento).
A free event
As per tradition, admission to all shows was free until capacity was reached. The organization was managed by the Icosit association, led by journalist Mimmo Ragozzino, with the patronage of the Municipality of Telese Terme, the Province of Benevento, and the Campania Region.
Programme Telesia for Peoples 2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026 — Benevento
- 11:00 AM — Institutional preview of the festival at the Rocca dei Rettori, seat of the Province of Benevento, with the presentation of the edition and the award winners
Friday, July 10, 2026 — Parco delle Terme di Telese (amphitheater, bar area)
- 9:00 PM — Institutional greetings and presentation of the "Magic Mushrooms" chess team
- 9:30 PM — Cabaret show with Ciro Giustiniani
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Parco delle Terme di Telese
- 9:30 PM — Solidarity Concert with the Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo Polyphonic Choir and the Modern Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Alessandro Fusco (approx. 60 musicians and choristers)
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Parco delle Terme di Telese
- 9:00 PM — Telesia for Peoples Award ceremony (9th edition), with performances
- On stage: Lele Blade, Maria Rosaria Rondina, Carmine De Domenico, Claudia Marsiglia, Eva Ragozzino, Alessandro Fusco, Solofraah & Big Vibra
Highlights Telesia for Peoples 2026
- 13th edition of the festival, dedicated to the "Domenico Caliendo" Foundation
- Neapolitan cabaret by Ciro Giustiniani in the thermal park amphitheater
- Solidarity Concert with about sixty musicians and choristers
- Final evening with rapper Lele Blade and the presentation of the Telesia for Peoples Award
- Six award winners from institutions, media, business, research, and sports
- All evenings with free admission in the Parco delle Terme di Telese
Prices Telesia for Peoples 2026
Practical information — Telesia for Peoples
Location
The evenings are held in the Parco delle Terme di Telese, in Telese Terme (ZIP 82037), in the province of Benevento. Some events take place in the park's open-air amphitheater.
Admission and tickets
Free admission to all shows, subject to availability. There is no advance booking: it is advisable to arrive early, especially for the awards ceremony, which is the most crowded evening.
How to get there
Telese Terme is easily accessible by car from the Valle Telesina and is well-connected to other towns in the Sannio region and the provincial capital, Benevento. The park has large green areas, and the surrounding zone is served by nearby parking.
Useful tips
- Shows start late in the evening (usually between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM): bring a light jacket for the cooler night air.
- The event is family-friendly, but some musical evenings are specifically designed for a younger audience.
- Take advantage of the day to visit Telese Terme, its lake, and the villages of the Valle Telesina.
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