The Words of the Mountain Festival
The cultural festival that transforms the village of Smerillo into a laboratory of thought between nature, walks, and words
About The Words of the Mountain
A festival born from the mountain
In the village of Smerillo, one of the smallest and most evocative municipalities in the Province of Fermo, in the Marche region, Le Parole della Montagna comes to life every summer. This cultural festival, founded in 2011, has become a benchmark for those seeking a different way to experience culture: slow, immersed in nature, far from the main circuits. Perched at almost 800 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sibillini and Laga Mountains, Smerillo offers the ideal setting for an event that focuses on words, walking, and listening.
One word for each edition
The festival revolves around a single keyword, chosen as the common thread for all the days. Over the years, themes such as "Source," "Precipice," and, in 2026, "Rescue" have been explored: a word that is both a cry and a response. Around this theme, there are meetings with prominent speakers, theatrical performances, film screenings, concerts, poetry readings, workshops, and moments of conviviality.
Nature, walks, and spirituality
One of the festival's souls is hiking: in collaboration with the Amandola section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), mornings are dedicated to walks in the woods and along ridges, an opportunity to reflect on the annual theme in direct contact with the mountains. The relationship with nature, also inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis, accompanies the entire event.
Culture, cinema, and books
Evenings host performances, music, and cinema, with a selection of documentaries curated in dialogue with the Trento Film Festival. There is also a book market dedicated to mountains and speakers' publications, while the Smerillo Museum of Contemporary Art (M.A.C.) enriches the program with the dimension of visual arts.
A widespread event across the territory
While its heart is in Smerillo, the festival extends to other mountain municipalities with previews and special stops—over the years, Monteleone di Fermo, Monte San Martino, the Sibillini Mountains, and Arquata del Tronto—building a cultural network that crosses the Marche Apennines. Supported by the Marche Region, the University, and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ascoli Piceno, Le Parole della Montagna is now a festival capable of attracting visitors from outside the region, thanks to the quality of its program and the beauty of the Marche villages.
The Words of the Mountain — edition 2026
The XVII edition of the festival will be held in Smerillo from July 17th to 19th, 2026, preceded by two previews in the region: July 4th in Monte San Martino and July 12th in Arquata del Tronto, the latter marking the tenth anniversary of the 2016 earthquake.
The 2026 theme is "Rescue": following last year's reflection on "Precipice," the festival chooses a word that evokes the need for mutual aid and the bonds that hold communities together in difficult times. As tradition dictates, the program alternates walks in nature, meetings with speakers, performances, music, and cinema, also drawing inspiration from Saint Francis's Canticle of the Creatures.
Programme The Words of the Mountain 2026
The festival is structured, as every year, into three main days in Smerillo (July 17-19, 2026), preceded by previews on July 4th in Monte San Martino and July 12th in Arquata del Tronto.
Usual structure of the days
- Mornings — excursions and nature walks (in collaboration with the CAI Amandola section) and workshops dedicated to the edition's theme.
- Afternoons and evenings — meetings with speakers, theatrical performances, poetry readings, concerts, and film screenings (selection of documentaries in dialogue with the Trento Film Festival).
- Throughout the duration — book market dedicated to mountains and local products tasting moments.
Preview in Arquata del Tronto (July 12th)
A special event is planned with a surprise orchestra along a forest path, blending music and nature sounds to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 2016 earthquake.
The detailed program with speakers' and guests' names, schedules, and show titles will be published on the official website www.leparoledellamontagna.it in the weeks preceding the festival.
Highlights The Words of the Mountain 2026
2026 Theme: "Rescue". Among the most anticipated moments are the preview in Arquata del Tronto on July 12th with a surprise orchestra in the woods, on the tenth anniversary of the 2016 earthquake, and the guided walks in the nature of the Fermo mountains. Free admission to all events.
Prices The Words of the Mountain 2026
Practical information — The Words of the Mountain
Where it takes place
The heart of the festival is the village of Smerillo (FM), with the main venue at Piazza San Pietro, 3. Some activities and previews take place in other mountain municipalities in the area (Monte San Martino, Arquata del Tronto, and others).
How to get there
By car: Smerillo can be reached from the SS Faleriense, heading inland from Fermo; the nearest motorway exit is Pedaso (A14). The village is recommended for those who love mountains and small historic centers.
Admission
Admission to the festival events is free.
Contacts
Email: [email protected] — Official website: www.leparoledellamontagna.it
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Where does it take place — The Words of the Mountain
Borgo di Smerillo (Piazza San Pietro)
Piazza San Pietro, 3, 63856 Smerillo