Un lago di libri Literary Festival
The literary festival of Lake Orta, blending words, art, and landscape
About Un lago di libri
A literary festival on the shores of Lake Orta
Un lago di libri is the literary festival that brings authors, readers, and curious minds to the heart of Orta San Giulio, one of the most enchanting villages in Piedmont, overlooking the lake of the same name in the province of Novara. Organized by the Associazione Intrecci of Ameno, with the patronage of the Municipality of Orta San Giulio and the Province of Novara, the festival is primarily hosted in the historic Palazzo Penotti Ubertini on Via Caire Albertoletti, where its halls host presentations, dialogues, and readings.
Words, art, and landscape
What makes Un lago di libri special is the way literature engages with the local territory. Beyond author meetings, the festival includes artistic and literary walks through the village of Orta, special openings of local museums, photography exhibitions, and guided tours that turn the entire town into a widespread stage. The public is invited to experience the lake as an integral part of the narrative, wandering through the squares, alleys, and palaces overlooking the water.
The 2026 edition: design and enterprise
The third edition, scheduled from July 31 to August 2, 2026, revolves around the theme Lake Orta: A History of Design and Enterprise: a narrative of the Cusio industrial district, its faucet manufacturing, houseware production, and Italian design, told through the voices of its protagonists. Announced guests include figures linked to the region's great entrepreneurial history, such as Alberto Alessi, Daniela Fantini, Celestina Bialetti, and Mauro Romagnoli, alongside writers, photographers, and scholars.
A village to discover
Attending Un lago di libri is also a perfect opportunity to discover Orta San Giulio and its lake: the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte, the Isola di San Giulio reachable by boat, and the workshops and cafés of the historic center. The festival, which offers free admission until capacity is reached, is designed for families, reading enthusiasts, and visitors looking to combine culture with scenic beauty during a summer weekend.
Un lago di libri — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Un lago di libri literary festival celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of Lake Orta with the theme Lake Orta: A History of Design and Enterprise. At Palazzo Penotti Ubertini, from July 31 to August 2, dialogues will explore the history of design factories, faucet manufacturing, and housewares of the Cusio district. Alongside the meetings, a photography exhibition on the ground floor of the palace, an artistic-literary walk through the village of Orta, and the special opening of the Museo della Tornitura in Pettenasco enrich the program. All events are free to attend until capacity is reached.
Programme Un lago di libri 2026
Friday, July 31
- Festival inauguration and opening of the photography exhibition on the ground floor of Palazzo Penotti Ubertini
- Meetings dedicated to the history of Lake Orta's design factories
- Artistic-literary walk in the village of Orta with Federica Mingozzi
Saturday, August 1
- Business stories: the history of glove manufacturing and faucet production in the Cusio district
- The family saga of the moka pot told by Celestina Bialetti
- Contributions from Daniela Fantini and Mauro Romagnoli
Sunday, August 2
- Alberto Alessi discusses the factories of Italian design
- Special opening of the Museo della Tornitura in Pettenasco
Announced guests also include Walter Zerla, Simone Dal Dosso, Andrea Del Duca, Davide Filiberti, and Alessandro Barbaglia. The detailed hourly program will be published by the Associazione Intrecci in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Un lago di libri 2026
Prices Un lago di libri 2026
Practical information — Un lago di libri
Getting there
Orta San Giulio can be reached by car via the A26 motorway (Borgomanero or Arona exit) by following signs for Lake Orta. By train, the Orta-Miasino station is connected to the Novara-Domodossola line; from the station, the historic center is accessible on foot or by shuttle.
Venue and admission
The meetings are held at Palazzo Penotti Ubertini, at Via Caire Albertoletti 31. Admission to all events is free and open to the public until all available seats are filled.
Information
For the updated program and reservations, you can contact the Associazione Intrecci at +39 389 9835059 or via email at [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Un lago di libri
Palazzo Penotti Ubertini
Via Caire Albertoletti 31, 28016 Orta San Giulio