Testo...Pretesto Festival

A widespread literary festival in the heart of Emilia-Romagna

The Testo...Pretesto Festival is one of the most beloved cultural events in Fidenza, a city in the Province of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna. Promoted by the Municipality of Fidenza, the festival stems from the idea that books foster an open mind and tend towards the eternal and the infinite. It is not just a book fair or exhibition: it is an invitation to experience culture together, bringing literature out of the pages and into the city's daily life.

The formula: the city becomes a book

For a few days, Fidenza transforms into an open-air map, where words become paths and books the compass. The squares of the historic center, particularly Piazza Garibaldi, cafes, streets, churches, the theater, and the library host a dense calendar of events that intertwine reading, music, and performance.

• Dinners with the author and literary breakfasts, where dialogue with writers and guests is accompanied by food and conviviality.
• Concerts and itinerant performances that traverse the city.
• Readings aloud, night readings, and literary marathons.
• Workshops and activities for children and teenagers, with particular attention to schools of all levels.
• Exhibitions, meetings, and conferences on topics such as work, Europe, peace, and memory.

The 2026 edition: every book is a journey

The eighth edition, scheduled from April 28 to May 3, 2026, is inspired by Emily Dickinson and her verse 'Hope is the thing with feathers,' under the title 'Every book is a journey.' Among the announced guests are semiologist and philosopher Ugo Volli, journalist and writer Roberto Longoni, MEP Marco Tarquinio, and the general secretary of CGIL Emilia-Romagna Massimo Bussandri. The program also includes the photographic exhibition 'Emporium: the long May of the short century,' dedicated to the covers of the historic Italian graphic arts magazine.

An event for the entire community

Aimed at students, associations, volunteers, and all citizens, the Testo...Pretesto Festival involves actors, musicians, writers, poets, teachers, and journalists who present and discuss texts and works. Most events are free admission, while dinners with the author require booking. It is an opportunity to discover Fidenza, a city on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route, and to experience its cultural vocation in a week of shared words.