Ventotene Europe Festival

"Europe Year Zero": the tenth edition

For its tenth anniversary, the Ventotene Europe Festival chose a programmatic title, "Europe Year Zero": at a turning point for the continent, the island of the Manifesto returned to question press freedom, federalism, and the construction of a truly political Europe. From May 8th to 11th, 2026, the thirty students selected for the Spring School of Europe attended lectures by experts, laboratories, and workshops on the integration process.

On May 9th, Europe Day, the inauguration in Piazza Castello opened with a video message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola — "we need Europe more than ever" — along with speeches by La Nuova Europa president Roberto Sommella and European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, accompanied by a concert from the Ventotene municipal band. On May 10th, the dialogue with Piero Cipollone, member of the ECB Executive Board, touched upon the digital euro and financial market integration, followed by a major round table on federalism featuring, among others, Francesco Rutelli, Elena Grech, Carlo Corazza, and Alessandro Barbano.

Friday, May 8

• Arrival of the thirty Spring School of Europe students and start of lectures and workshops on European integration

Saturday, May 9 — Europe Day (open to the public)

• Inauguration in Piazza Castello: video message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, speeches by Roberto Sommella (President of La Nuova Europa) and Pina Picierno (Vice President of the European Parliament), with local authorities
• Concert by the Ventotene municipal band
• Afternoon: round table on press freedom and strategic lawsuits, moderated by Stefano Polli, with columnists and journalists

Sunday, May 10 (open to the public)

• Morning: dialogue with Piero Cipollone (ECB Executive Board, via link) on price stability, the digital euro, and financial market integration
• Round table on European federalism with Francesco Rutelli (via videoconference), Elena Grech (European Commission Representation in Italy), Carlo Corazza (European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy), Pina Picierno, Giovanna Reanda (Radio Radicale), Stefano Menichini, Mirella Parachini, Andrea Patroni Griffi, Piero Graglia, Nadia Rollè (NOMOS), and Alessandro Barbano

Monday, May 11

• Conclusion of the Spring School of Europe and departure of participants

• Tenth edition: "Europe Year Zero"
• Video message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on May 9th in Piazza Castello
• Dialogue with Piero Cipollone (ECB) on the digital euro and financial markets
• Round table on press freedom moderated by Stefano Polli
• Spring School of Europe with thirty university students from across the EU
• Festival awarded the medal of the President of the Republic

How to get there

Ventotene can only be reached by sea: ferries and hydrofoils depart from Formia (the main route, year-round), with seasonal connections from other ports in the gulf. Formia is connected by train to Rome and Naples on the Tyrrhenian line. On the island, you can get around on foot: events are concentrated in Piazza Castello and throughout the village.

Admission

The public days (May 9th and 10th) are free to attend; the Spring School of Europe is reserved for students selected through an application process.

Tips

In May, accommodation on the island is limited: book well in advance or consider a day trip from Formia.