VivaCultura
The summer festival of theatre, music, and literature in the historic center of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino
About VivaCultura
VivaCultura, the summer living room of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino
VivaCultura is the arts, literature, and performance festival that brings Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino to life every summer, a town in the Agro Nocerino Sarnese area in the province of Salerno, Campania. Promoted by the Municipality together with the Pro Loco, it reached its eighteenth edition in 2026, spreading its program over three months, from mid-July to the second half of September. The Department of Culture describes it as "the city's summer living room": a definition that perfectly captures the essence of an event designed more for the local community than for mass tourism, which is precisely why it retains such an authentic atmosphere.
A historic center that becomes a stage
The heart of the event is the ancient village. The evenings take place between Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli, a natural open-air stage, and the cozy internal courtyard of Palazzo Ferrajoli, which offers a more intimate setting for book presentations and theatrical monologues. This is a deliberate choice: instead of building an arena outside the town, VivaCultura brings spectators into the alleys, restoring evening life to spaces that remain silent for the rest of the year. Visitors from outside thus discover a historic center that few know, just a few kilometers from the Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii.
Theatre, music, and books in one program
The festival regularly alternates between the three languages that form its backbone, without hierarchy between "high" culture and popular entertainment:
- Theatre — monologues, prose, and acting performances, often entrusted to renowned performers from Campania.
- Music — concerts, tribute bands, and tributes to great Italian and Neapolitan authors, from classic Neapolitan songs to singer-songwriter music.
- Literature — book presentations with the authors present, ranging from non-fiction to poetry in the Neapolitan language, with debates open to the public.
- Families and children — at least one evening dedicated to puppet theatre, designed for the little ones.
All evenings usually start at 9:00 PM and feature free admission, a condition that has helped build a loyal, intergenerational audience over the years.
Birra in Borgo and I Cortili della Storia
Within the VivaCultura program, two events coexist that now have their own independent identity. Birra in Borgo, curated by the Genius Eventi Association, occupies four days at the end of August with craft beer, live music, and a food area in the alleys of the center. I Cortili della Storia, organized by the Pro Loco on the third weekend of September, is the town's longest-running event: falconers, flag-wavers, archers, ladies, and knights take the village back to the Middle Ages, while in private courtyards, visitors can taste dishes prepared according to ancient recipes, from handmade fusillo sangiliano to sciunelle pasta, and even citrus-based desserts from Sant'Egidio.
A different theme every year
Each edition has a title that serves as a common thread. In 2025, the festival focused on "The Gold of Naples," ten evenings dedicated to Neapolitan culture; in 2026, the chosen theme is "The Roots of the Future," an invitation to reinterpret local memory with the languages of the present. The 2026 edition is dedicated to Francesco, Massimo, and Giambattista Ferrajoli, "rare gentlemen and art lovers, noble sons of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino."
Who is behind the festival
The artistic direction is entrusted to Alfonso Cavaliere, while the evenings are hosted by Aldo Severino. The organization is led by the Municipality of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino — Mayor Antonio La Mura, Councilor for Culture Giulia Attianese — in collaboration with the local Pro Loco, which celebrated half a century of activity in 2025.
When to go
Those looking for theatre and literature will find the busiest program between the second half of July and the beginning of August; those who prefer a festive atmosphere can aim for Birra in Borgo at the end of August or the medieval weekend of I Cortili della Storia in September, when the town reaches its peak attendance. In any case, it is advisable to arrive a little early: the most anticipated evenings often sell out.
VivaCultura — edition 2026
"The Roots of the Future": VivaCultura 2026
The eighteenth edition of the festival promoted by the Municipality of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino and the Pro Loco opens on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 9:00 PM and continues until Sunday, September 20. Fourteen events distributed across July, August, and September occupy Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli and the courtyard of Palazzo Ferrajoli, with free admission to all evenings.
The chosen theme, "The Roots of the Future," runs through a program that puts local memory and contemporary languages into dialogue: theatrical monologues, musical tributes, concerts of Neapolitan and classical music, and presentations of essays and poetry collections. The edition is dedicated to Francesco, Massimo, and Giambattista Ferrajoli, "rare gentlemen and art lovers, noble sons of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino."
The first evenings have already sold out, with an audience described by the organizers as increasingly engaged and intergenerational. The grand finale is entrusted to the thirtieth edition of I Cortili della Storia, the medieval re-enactment organized by the Pro Loco, which takes the village back in time on September 19 and 20 with flag-wavers, markets, and tastings of traditional dishes.
Programme VivaCultura 2026
July 2026
- Wednesday, July 15, 9:00 PM — "Femminile Singolare," theatrical monologue by and with Maria Bolignano (opening night)
- Sunday, July 19 — Yellow Clocks, Coldplay tribute band
- Monday, July 20 — Presentation of the book "Bloom. Il metodo neuroscientifico che ti farà ascoltare tuo figlio" by Sandra Solco
- Tuesday, July 21 — "Maestro, Cantiamo il Nanianà," tribute to Roberto De Simone
- Wednesday, July 22 — Presentation of "Non facciamo del bene" by Andrea Morniroli and Gea Scancarello
August 2026
- Sunday, August 2 — "Non ti disunire," with Ciro Capano, dedicated to the classics of Neapolitan song
- Wednesday, August 5 — Presentation of the autobiography "Scegli la vita e non tradirla" by Giuseppe Lombardi
- Tuesday, August 11 — "The Wizard of Oz," puppet theatre for families and children
- Wednesday, August 12 — Meeting on the book "Allontanarsi dalla linea gialla" by Assunta Striano
- Tuesday, August 18 — Presentation of "Il segreto dell'inchiostro" by Giovanna Desiderio
- August 20 to 23 — "Birra in Borgo," ninth edition curated by the Genius Eventi Association: craft beer, live music, and food area in the village
- Friday, August 28 — Concert by violinist Felice D'Amico, featuring Italian, international, and Neapolitan repertoire
- Saturday, August 29 — "Lucio, io e te," tribute to Lucio Dalla, directed by Augusto Fornari
- Monday, August 31 — Presentation of the poetry collection "Quanno Dio facette 'o munno" by Carlo Avvisati
September 2026
- Thursday, September 10 — "Rivoluzione Carosone," concert-show of theatre and music created by Alessandro D'Auria, tribute to Renato Carosone
- Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 — "I Cortili della Storia," thirtieth edition curated by the Pro Loco: historical re-enactment, medieval market, and tastings in the courtyards of the ancient center
All evenings take place in Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli and in the courtyard of Palazzo Ferrajoli, usually starting at 9:00 PM. The program is subject to change: it is advisable to check the official channels of the Municipality and the Pro Loco.
Highlights VivaCultura 2026
- Opening night — "Femminile Singolare" by and with Maria Bolignano, July 15 in the square
- Tribute to Roberto De Simone — "Maestro, Cantiamo il Nanianà," July 21
- Birra in Borgo — four days of craft beer and live music, August 20-23 (ninth edition)
- "Lucio, io e te" — the tribute to Lucio Dalla by Augusto Fornari, August 29
- "Rivoluzione Carosone" — the concert-show by Alessandro D'Auria on September 10
- I Cortili della Storia — the thirtieth edition of the medieval re-enactment, September 19-20, the grand finale of the festival
Prices VivaCultura 2026
Practical information — VivaCultura
How to get there
Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino is located in the Agro Nocerino Sarnese area, in the province of Salerno. By car, it can be reached from the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway, taking the Angri or Nocera Inferiore exits, then following signs for the center. By train, the most convenient stations are Angri and Nocera Inferiore on the Naples-Salerno line, connected to the town by short bus or taxi rides.
Hours and admission
Evenings usually start at 9:00 PM. Admission is free for all festival shows. Events take place outdoors in Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli and in the courtyard of Palazzo Ferrajoli, in the historic center.
Useful tips
- The historic center is pedestrian-only during events: it is best to park in nearby areas and continue on foot.
- For the most popular evenings, and particularly for I Cortili della Storia, it is better to arrive early.
- Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino is a good evening base for those visiting Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, or the Sarno Valley.
Contacts
Municipality of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, tel. +39 081 915655. Updated program on the Municipality and Pro Loco channels.
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Where does it take place — VivaCultura
Centro storico — Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli e cortile di Palazzo Ferrajoli
Piazza G.B. Ferrajoli, 84010 Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino