The Palatine Stadium will host the 24th edition of one of the most beloved summer cultural festivals in the Capital
Celebrating its 24th year, the International Literature Festival will bring together esteemed Italian and international authors who have made significant contributions to contemporary literature.
As always, the stunning Stadio Palatino, located within the Colosseum Archaeological Park, will provide the backdrop for the festival. A final special event has been added on July 19 at the Idroscalo of Ostia, featuring Nicola Lagioia. This year’s edition will unfold over six evenings: July 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 19.
The title of this year’s edition is “Returns.” One of the oldest themes in literature, the “return” — from the Odyssey to the present — represents both a physical journey and an inner transformation. It’s also a timely theme, reflecting on migration, exile, and the troubling resurgence of nationalism that threatens democracy and European unity.
On July 8, the Festival opens with poet Mariangela Gualtieri, followed by Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai (International Booker Prize 2015), Ali Smith, and Paolo Nori, finalist for the 2025 Strega Prize.
On July 9, Tommaso Ragno will read selected passages from the Odyssey, followed by appearances from Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, the winner of the Strega Prize, and American bestselling author Liz Moore.
On July 11, the evening opens with Elvira Mujčić, marking thirty years since the Srebrenica massacre. The program continues with Benjamín Labatut, Jenny Erpenbeck, and Georgi Gospodinov, among the most acclaimed contemporary European authors.
On July 13, the evening will be dedicated to Andrea Camilleri, with readings by Michele Riondino, Chiara Valerio, Antonio Franchini, and Alberto Manguel.
July 15 celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Flannery O’Connor, with a reading by Isabella Ragonese. Also taking the stage will be Murata Sayaka, Éric Reinhardt, and Nicoletta Verna.
The festival concludes on July 16 with Vivian Lamarque, paying tribute to Pasolini, alongside Eshkol Nevo, Nadia Terranova, and Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran.
Below is the program for the 2025 Festival delle Letterature.
INSPIRATION
Best Events In July In Rome
July 8
Mariangela Gualtieri
La strada per tornare
László Krasznahorkai
Állni a bizottság ellőtt 2025
In piedi davanti alla commissione 2025
Ali Smith
Home from home
Una casa lontano da casa
Paolo Nori
Caracalla
Music by Mokadelic
July 9
Tommaso Ragno reads l’Odissea
Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
Terugkeer naar Griekenland
Ritorno in Grecia
vincitrice/vincitore del Premio Strega 2025
Liz Moore
Nostos
Music by Mokadelic
July 11
Elvira Mujčič
Un luogo sicuro
Benjamín Labatut
Memorias de otro mundo
Ricordi di un altro mondo
Jenny Erpenbeck
Hoffnung – Zeit
Speranza – Tempo
Georgi Gospodinov
Завръщания – възможни и невъзможни
Ritorni possibili e impossibili
Music by Mokadelic
July 13
Michele Riondino reads Andrea Camilleri
Antonio Franchini
La lingua della crisi, l’abito del lutto
Chiara Valerio
Donna Eleonora s’affacciò
Alberto Manguel
Apparenza e realtà
Music by Mokadelic
July 15
Isabella Ragonese reads La breve vita felice di Flannery O’Connor
Murata Sayaka
Zansetsu
L’ultima neve
Éric Reinhardt
L’air de ces années-là
L’aria di quegli anni
Nicoletta Verna
Macerie
Music by Mokadelic
July 16
Vivian Lamarque
E intanto la vita?
Eshkol Nevo
ספוילר
Spoiler
Nadia Terranova
Considerate Penelope
Azar Nafisi
Back to the Republic of Imagination
Ritorno alla Repubblica dell’immaginazione
Music by Mokadelic
July 19
Nicola Lagioia
La guerra come malattia della specie. La mutazione antropologica come condanna.
8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19 July 2025
Stadio Palatino, Parco Archeologico del Colosseo
Via di San Gregorio, 30
Entry at 8.30pm, readings start at 9pm
Free Entry
No booking required
