Venerdì d'Autore

A literary series in the heart of the Agro Nocerino Sarnese

Venerdì d'Autore is the go-to event for books and their authors in Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, a town of just over seven thousand inhabitants in the province of Salerno, Campania. The series is organized by the Pro Loco of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino ETS and takes place at their association headquarters on Via Pulcinella, which also houses the town's Civic Library. The formula is simple and well-tested: a series of spring evenings, always at 8:00 PM, where an author presents their work and engages in an unfiltered dialogue with readers.

Launched in 2017, the series has grown with each edition to become one of the most recognizable cultural events on the local calendar, alongside festivals like I Cortili della Storia and the summer series Vivacultura. The title itself refers to the day of the week around which the calendar revolves: Friday evenings, when the library transforms into a small listening room.

The «F. Ferrajoli» Civic Library, home of the series

The venue is no minor detail. The «F. Ferrajoli» Civic Library was commissioned and built by the Pro Loco and opened to the public in December 2016. It is named after Professor Ferdinando Ferrajoli, a distinguished fellow citizen, academic, and archaeologist. It serves as both a study hall and a conference room, with an intimate capacity of about twenty-five seats.

The library also houses a documentation center dedicated to Aniello Califano, the poet from Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino who wrote the lyrics to 'O surdato 'nnammurato, who passed away at the family estate on February 20, 1919. It is no surprise that the 2019 edition was dedicated to him, marking the centenary of his death with an exhibition of memorabilia related to his life.

The formula: one book, one author, the audience

Every evening follows the same format: book presentation, a dialogue with the author led by local journalists and cultural figures, and then an open discussion with the audience. Past editions have been moderated by, among others, journalists Susy Pepe and Alfonso Tramontano Guerritore.

The selection criteria for the titles are intentionally broad and span various genres:

• Civil non-fiction and investigative journalism, with authors such as Isaia Sales (Storia dell'Italia mafiosa) and Father Aniello Manganiello;
• 20th-century history and memory, from the events of the Second World War recounted by Gianluca Barneschi to family testimonies;
• Narrative and historical novels, often set between the coast and the Campanian hinterland;
• Photography and territory, as in the case of Claudia Bonasi's volume dedicated to Amalfi in the 1950s and 60s;
• Local development and tourism, with meetings dedicated to growth strategies for the Agro and the Amalfi Coast.

The 2026 edition: five evenings of history, memory, and mystery

The 2026 edition featured five events between April 17 and May 15, presented by the Pro Loco as "a journey through history, emotions, mysteries, and deep roots." The series ranged from Patrizia Sereno's intergenerational account of the 20th century to Gaetanina Longobardi's dynastic events set in 1362, from Bruno De Filippis's adventure between Venice and Paris to Giovanna Desiderio's local stories, and finally, a reflection on life choices by Maurizio Schettino.

Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, between the Lattari Mountains and the Coast

The town lies at the foot of the Lattari Mountains, in the plain between Nocera and Sarno, and also includes the hamlets of Orta Loreto and San Lorenzo. Its territory is part of the Lattari Mountains Regional Park and, since 1997, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage area along with the Amalfi Coast: a position that makes it an almost obligatory stop on the way to Amalfi, Ravello, and the Sorrento Peninsula.

The most important monument is the Abbey of Santa Maria Maddalena in Armillis, a Benedictine complex of ancient origins that dominates the town center. A visit to the village before the evening meeting is the best way to understand why such a small literary series has managed to fill the library hall for years.

Information and contacts

The calendar for each edition is published on the official Pro Loco website and promoted on their social media channels. For information, you can email [email protected] or visit the office at Via Pulcinella 3.