Italian
Jesolo is preparing to welcome a summer dedicated to culture and literature with the third edition of “Jesolo Libri. Words and Ideas,” an event that from July 13 to 18 will transform Piazza Milano into a lively literary salon. The festival will feature some of the most beloved and discussed authors in the Italian literary scene, promising evenings rich in insights and reflections.
JESOLO. After the great success of the preview featuring the finalists of the prestigious Strega Prize, the city of Jesolo confirms its status as a cultural hub for summer events. The third edition of “Jesolo Libri. Words and Ideas,” scheduled from July 13 to 18, 2026, promises to be an unmissable event for lovers of reading and intellectual debate. Piazza Milano will be the beating heart of this event, hosting a lineup of nationally and internationally renowned authors.
The program has been carefully curated to offer a broad and diverse overview of contemporary literature and thought. Among the prominent names that will animate the Jesolo evenings are Stefania Auci, author of historical bestsellers, Gianrico Carofiglio, known for his novels and civic engagement, Enrico Galiano, beloved professor and writer, Alessia Gazzola, queen of “cozy crime,” and Federico Rampini, journalist and geopolitics expert. They will be joined by the finalists of the Campiello Prize, who will bring to the stage the most interesting voices of current Italian narrative: Ermanno Cavazzoni, Marcello Fois, Valeria Parrella, Alcide Pierantozzi, and Elena Varvello.
The festival will span various genres and themes, ensuring a complete cultural experience. It will move from the intense emotions and deep feelings explored by Enrico Galiano and Stefania Auci, to the sharp geopolitical analysis offered by Federico Rampini, to the civic engagement and philosophical reflection of Gianrico Carofiglio. The charm of the historical mystery will not be lacking, with Alessia Gazzola transporting the audience to 1920s London, and the opportunity to hear directly from the finalists of one of Italy’s most important literary awards, the Campiello. A unique opportunity to engage with great names in literature and journalism who, through their works, narrate contemporary life, stories of friendship, rebellion, family, and much more.
The schedule of events is rich and stimulating:
Monday, July 13, 9:00 PM: Enrico Galiano – Telling the love of adolescents and adults. The professor-writer, idol of both young and adult audiences, will present his new novel, “The Heart Doesn’t Go to Sleep” (Einaudi). A work that investigates the nuances of an adolescent’s impossible love and the cracks that can open in the life of a seemingly untroubled woman. Through the stories of Sasha, who confesses her love for a professor in a notebook, and Alessandra, a forty-year-old art expert searching for a mysterious artist, Galiano weaves a rich tapestry of emotions and introspection, inviting the audience to reflect on the complexity of human feelings and relational dynamics.
Tuesday, July 14, 9:00 PM: Federico Rampini – Geopolitics and the new wars. The renowned journalist and essayist will present “Bread and Cannons” (Mondadori), a work conceived as a true “survival guide” in an era of increasing global instability. Rampini will offer a clear and in-depth analysis of how the economy, with its tariffs, sanctions, and control of key resources, has become a strategic weapon as powerful as military force. He will dismantle the illusion that free trade can guarantee peace, prompting the audience to critically reflect on the fragility of Europe and the urgent need for real deterrence to safeguard the future stability of the continent and the world.
Wednesday, July 15, 9:00 PM: Gianrico Carofiglio – The praise of error and the commitment to change reality. Gianrico Carofiglio, in dialogue with journalist Alessandra Tedesco, will share with readers the profound civil and philosophical reflections contained in his latest works. The debate will center on the theses of “Praise of Ignorance and Error” (Einaudi), an essay that overturns common prejudices, demonstrating how conscious error can be the most powerful tool for personal growth and the acquisition of new knowledge. The theme of commitment will also connect to “Igniting the Fires. A Manual of Struggle and Kindness” (Mondadori), a sort of compass-essay designed especially for young people, aimed at stimulating critical thinking, responsible use of language, and the ability not to resign to apathy, rediscovering the value of doubt and active citizenship. An opportunity to reflect on the role of the individual in contemporary society.
Thursday, July 16, 9:00 PM: The Finalists of the Campiello Prize. The prestigious collaboration between Jesolo Libri and the Campiello Prize renews, offering a special evening that will see the finalists take the stage. Ermanno Cavazzoni will present “Story of a Friendship” (Quodlibet), Marcello Fois will present “The Immense Distraction” (Einaudi), Valeria Parrella will present “The Little Girl” (Feltrinelli), Alcide Pierantozzi will present “The Imbalance” (Einaudi), and Elena Varvello will present “Life Always” (Guanda). A unique opportunity to hear the most representative voices of the best contemporary Italian literature, in an instant of excellence that offers insights into current narrative trends. The evening will be moderated by journalist Maria Pia Zorzi.
Friday, July 17, 9:00 PM: Stefania Auci – The charm of the Florio saga: the story before the entrepreneurial success. After the global success of “The Lions of Sicily” and “The Winter of the Lions,” Stefania Auci returns to Jesolo with her new novel, “The Dawn of the Lions” (Nord), which quickly climbed to the top of the charts. The Sicilian author, in dialogue with Alessandra Tedesco, will recount the events of the Florio family before their move to Sicily, exploring the origins of a timeless industrial myth. A powerful tale about the hunger for the future, sacrifices, and the human roots of a dynasty that has marked Italian economic and social history. A deep dive into the family and entrepreneurial dynamics that preceded the rise and fall of the Florio.
Saturday, July 18, 9:00 PM: Alessia Gazzola – Miss Bee and the series of mysteries in 1920s London. The queen of Italian “cozy crime” will close the festival by immersing the audience in the sophisticated and mysterious atmosphere of 1920s London. Alessia Gazzola will present the adventures of her new and irresistible protagonist, Miss Bee (series published by Longanesi), combining historical accuracy with a brilliant, light narrative pace rich in suspense. An ironic and passionate journey through family secrets, unexpected crimes, and the unmistakable style of an unforgettable era, offering an intriguing and entertaining conclusion to the festival.
All six evenings of “Jesolo Libri. Words and Ideas” are free and open to the public, subject to availability, and will take place in the enchanting setting of Piazza Milano. In case of adverse weather conditions, the meetings will be hosted at the Teatro Vivaldi, located at Via del Bersagliere, 1, ensuring the continuity of the event. The festival is an initiative of the Municipality of Jesolo, with editorial direction by journalist Alessandra Tedesco, and benefits from the valuable collaboration of the Jesolo Hoteliers Association, Banca Prealpi San Biagio, and Confcommercio San Donà di Piave – Jesolo. It has also received the prestigious patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Veneto Region, attesting to its cultural value and relevance in the summer events landscape. For more information and updates, you can consult the official website of the Municipality of Jesolo or follow the social media accounts dedicated to the event.
