Twice a year, between late May and early June and in November, Pienza hosts the Literary Emporium. This event is dedicated to books, publishing and the passion for reading and it also has some unique features that make it much-loved by the public.
The Event
The event, which emerged from collaboration between the Compagnia del Teatro – Caffeina Eventi Cultural Association and the Municipality of Pienza, under the artistic direction of writer and professor Giorgio Nisini, includes a jam-packed series of meetings with authors, led by experts, that the public can not only attend but they can also participate and interact with the guests.
The arts, the places
Through books, the Literary Emporium takes a look at current events, combining literature, journalism, comics, musical shows and artistic performances. It offers meetings, presentations, talks and lectures in captivating spaces: courtyards, squares, historical buildings and distinctive corners of the historic centre of Pienza and nearby Monticchiello.
Discussion, debate
The Pienza Literary Emporium is therefore much more than a festival: it is an event featuring beauty, words and reflection, each year transforming Pienza into a true “piazza” of ideas, discussion and debate. Thanks to these qualities, the Literary Emporium has established itself as one of the liveliest and most highly-attended cultural events in Tuscany.
Some of the protagonists
Over the years, the event has hosted some of the most influential figures in contemporary Italian culture. These include Gianrico Carofiglio, Umberto Galimberti, Sigfrido Ranucci, Riccardo Iacona, Nicola Gratteri, Walter Siti, Malika Ayane, Veronica Pivetti, Agnese Pini, Eraldo Affinati, Serena Dandini, Mario Tozzi, Roberto Cotroneo and Nichi Vendola.
Rediscover the pleasure of reading in Pienza
The Literary Emporium – which features an “Off” edition this November, concentrating all the events into a single day – is open to all: free admission, direct contact with the authors and a welcoming atmosphere that invites reflection on current issues, from historical memory to major social changes, to rediscover the pleasure of reading and dialogue and to experience Pienza in a new way, as a community and as a meeting place. Therefore, the festival is not just an event, but a living cultural workshop, capable of stimulating thought and bringing together different voices – writers, journalists, artists and readers – under the banner of curiosity, passion and respect for words.
