The May of Books in Minturno
A month of reading, workshops, and seaside gatherings in the Gulf of Gaeta
About May of Books Minturno
A month dedicated to the written word
The May of Books in Minturno is the local participation in the national campaign promoted by the Centre for Books and Reading (Cepell), an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Culture. Since 2022, the Municipality of Minturno, in the province of Latina, has curated its own independent calendar running from late April to May 31st, turning the Luigi Raus Municipal Library into the beating heart of a reading community.
The formula is simple and recognizable: over twenty free events tailored to different age groups, combining books with other forms of expression—drawing, music, games, and the sea. It is not a festival of big names, but a widespread, participatory event where reading steps out of the library and reaches families, schools, and the seaside resorts.
Workshops for children and teenagers
The youth-oriented part of the program takes place almost entirely in the library and is structured into weekly cycles. Recurring offerings include:
- Drawing and comic book course for ages 8-11, with participants creating their own plates over several afternoons;
- Chess course open to everyone, with weekday lessons combining strategy and focus;
- Music and reading workshop for teenagers (ages 13-16);
- Readings for preschoolers hosted by Nati per Leggere volunteers, with recurring afternoon sessions;
- Reading workshops for children aged 7-9.
The involvement of local associations—led by Amici del Libro Biblioteca Luigi Raus and Co.S.MO.S—is what allows a medium-sized municipality to maintain such a packed calendar at no cost to the public.
Seaside gatherings
The most evocative section of the festival takes place on the Scauri seafront, the seaside district of Minturno overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta. During the final weeks of May, seaside terraces and beach clubs host the so-called seaside gatherings: poetry award ceremonies, themed reading relays, evenings of verse with live musical interludes, and readings blending literary excerpts with rock music. At sunset, with the sand still warm, listening takes on a different quality—and this is likely the trait that most distinguishes the Minturno May of Books from the dozens of other Italian participants in the campaign.
The setting: Minturno and the Gulf of Gaeta
Minturno is located in the far south of Lazio, near the border with Campania, between the mouth of the Garigliano river and the slopes of the Aurunci mountains. The historic, perched medieval village coexists with the marina of Scauri and the famous Minturnae archaeological site, with its Roman theatre and aqueduct. It is a city that loves to tell its story through the written word: the literary festival is part of a cultural fabric that also includes the Sagra delle Regne and a lively summer events season.
Why attend
Visitors from outside will find an event off the beaten path, during a season—spring—when the Pontine coast is still quiet and prices are reasonable. Locals will find a library that is open, lively, and capable of engaging all ages. In both cases, the completely free program and the variety of offerings make The May of Books an excellent gateway to the cultural life of lower Lazio.
May of Books Minturno — edition 2026
2026 Edition: «Every book is a living creature»
The fifth edition adopted the national theme chosen by Cepell, an invitation to consider the book as a living organism capable of engaging with every form of art. The inaugural workshop was held on April 24, while from May 1st to 3rd, activities moved to Parco Recillo for the Spring Festival, with pop-up readings dedicated to families with children aged 0-6.
The bulk of the calendar was concentrated in the library, with weekly cycles for the little ones, while the end-of-month evenings brought the adult audience to the Scauri seafront for the seaside gatherings. All initiatives—including those carried out with the contribution of the Lazio Region—were free and open to the public.
Programme May of Books Minturno 2026
In the library (Luigi Raus Municipal Library)
- May 7, 14, and 21, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM — Drawing and comic book course by Mara Ciacciarelli (ages 8-11)
- May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 4:15 PM — Chess course by Alex Melchior (open to all)
- May 15, 28, and June 4, 4:30 PM — Music and reading workshop with M. Teresa Valerio (ages 13-16)
- May 8, 15, 18, and 25, 4:00 PM — Readings for preschoolers by Loredana Marciano
- May 22 and 29, 4:30 PM — Reading workshop with Francesco Di Luna (ages 7-9)
Seaside gatherings (Scauri seafront)
- Saturday, May 9, 3:00 PM — Poetry competition award ceremony
- Saturday, May 16, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Seafront Terrace (opposite the former Sieci) — «Readings for Gaza», reading relay of the book The House Keys by Sami Al-Ajrami
- Sunday, May 24, 6:00 PM, Lido del Pino — «Poetry»: You, strange truth that calls me, with Cinzia Demi, Rita Pacilio, and Ida Di Ianni, musical interludes by Tullio Taffuri
- Saturday, May 30, 7:00 PM, Lido I Delfini — «Readings and rock», a journey through literary and musical pieces
Off-site
- April 24 — Inaugural festival workshop
- May 1-3, Parco Recillo — Spring Festival with pop-up readings for families with children aged 0-6
Highlights May of Books Minturno 2026
- 2026 Theme: «Every book is a living creature», inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures
- Over twenty free events in just over a month
- Seaside gatherings on the Scauri seafront at sunset
- «Readings for Gaza» reading relay on May 16
- Poetry evening on May 24 with live musical interludes
- Comic and chess courses for children and teenagers
Prices May of Books Minturno 2026
Practical information — May of Books Minturno
Location
The main venue is the Luigi Raus Municipal Library in Minturno (LT). Evening meetings are held on the seafront of the Scauri district (seafront terrace and beach clubs) and, on some days, at Parco Recillo.
How to get there
By car: A1 motorway to Cassino and then the SS630 Formia-Cassino road, or the SS7 Appia road from the Gulf of Gaeta. By train: Minturno-Scauri station on the Rome-Naples line via Formia, with frequent regional connections and just a few minutes' walk from the seafront. Nearest airports: Naples Capodichino (approx. 80 km) and Rome Fiumicino (approx. 150 km).
Admission and booking
All events are free and open to the public. For library workshops, which have limited capacity, booking is recommended: in previous years, this was managed via an online platform and by contacting the library directly.
Tips
For the seaside gatherings, it is advisable to arrive about twenty minutes early: seating is limited and the local public is very fond of these events. A light jacket is useful even in late May when the sun sets over the Gulf.
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Where does it take place — May of Books Minturno
Biblioteca Comunale Luigi Raus