Thinking Festival
Four evenings under the stars featuring philosophy, current affairs, and theatre in Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio
About Thinking Festival
A festival of thought on the Etruscan Coast
The Thinking Festival is one of the most original cultural events in the province of Pisa, Tuscany. Travelling between the villages of Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio, in the hinterland of the Etruscan Coast, it offers four evenings every July dedicated to philosophical, social, and artistic reflection. The initiative is promoted by the Associazione Culturale Pensiamo Insieme, a non-profit organisation born from the desire to offer the community food for thought on the issues of our time.
Thinking together, under the stars
The heart of the festival lies in the evening meetings, held in the open-air theatre of Casale Marittimo and the historic spaces of Montescudaio. Philosophers, historians, journalists, psychologists, doctors, and performers take the stage each year to address a central theme, explored evening after evening. Alongside the lectures, there are workshops, screenings, and theatrical performances, in a programme open to anyone interested in philosophical, artistic, cinematic, literary, and psychological debate.
The 2026 edition: "Lost Humanity"
The 12th edition, scheduled from July 23 to 26, 2026, revolves around the theme "Lost Humanity: solidarity, compassion, and respect seem more fragile today". Four evenings to question the contradictions of human identity through the lens of daily life: health and care, work, and family ties. Closing the festival is a theatrical performance by the Teatro dell'Orsa company at Piazzale Belvedere in Casale Marittimo.
An event rooted in the local area
For over a decade, the Thinking Festival has involved the municipalities of Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio, together with cultural organisations in the Cecina and Colli Marittimi areas. It is an opportunity to discover two authentic Tuscan villages, made of stone alleys, views of the hills and the sea, and a community that has chosen culture as a tool for dialogue. Admission to all meetings is free, confirming the popular and participatory nature of the festival.
Thinking Festival — edition 2026
Thinking Festival 2026 — 12th edition
The 2026 edition of the Thinking Festival takes place from July 23 to 26 between Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio, in the province of Pisa, under the theme "Lost Humanity". Four evenings, all starting at 9:15 PM with free admission, investigate the forms of human coexistence starting from daily life: care, work, and family. The meetings are held in the open-air theatre, while the final evening brings civic theatre to the square.
Programme Thinking Festival 2026
2026 Programme
- July 23 — Casale Marittimo, Open-air theatre, 9:15 PM: "How are you? Care and health: a privilege?" with Sandra Zampa (Senator, former Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health), Paolo Malacarne (anaesthesiologist), and Iacopo Melio (journalist and activist).
- July 24 — Casale Marittimo, Open-air theatre, 9:15 PM: "How is work going? Does work enhance the human being or degrade it?" with Federico Creatini (labour historian) and Gianfranco Francese (General Secretary of CGIL Livorno).
- July 25 — Montescudaio, 9:15 PM: "And family? Parents and children: how are family ties changing?" with Osvaldo Poli (psychologist and psychotherapist) and a video by Alessandro Scillitani on the evolution of the family.
- July 26 — Casale Marittimo, Piazzale Belvedere: "Ballata del lavoro" (Ballad of Work), a theatrical performance by Teatro dell'Orsa with Monica Morini and Bernardino Bonzani, featuring live music.
Highlights Thinking Festival 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Lost Humanity" — solidarity, compassion, and respect
- Four evenings between Casale Marittimo and Montescudaio
- Prominent speakers: Sandra Zampa, Paolo Malacarne, Iacopo Melio, Osvaldo Poli
- Closing performance by Teatro dell'Orsa at Piazzale Belvedere
- Free admission
Prices Thinking Festival 2026
Practical information — Thinking Festival
How to get there
Casale Marittimo is located in the hinterland of the Etruscan Coast, in the province of Pisa. By car, it can be reached from the SS1 Aurelia (Cecina or Casale Marittimo exit) and then via local hillside roads. The nearest train station is Cecina, on the Pisa-Rome line, from where you can continue by car or local connections. The reference airports are Pisa and Florence.
Times and admission
Evening meetings start at 9:15 PM. Admission is free for all lectures, workshops, and performances. Events take place outdoors: comfortable clothing is recommended.
Venues
Open-air theatre and Piazzale Belvedere in Casale Marittimo; historic centre and various spaces in Montescudaio. For updated information: www.pensiamoinsieme.org, tel. +39 0586 652412 / +39 338 6530297.
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Where does it take place — Thinking Festival
Teatro all'aperto e Piazzale Belvedere
Teatro all'aperto, Casale Marittimo, 56040 Casale Marittimo