Festival Treccani della lingua italiana 2026

‘Dialogue’ is the theme chosen for the ninth edition of the Festival Treccani della lingua italiana. A significant choice in keeping with the spirit of the Festival, which places at the heart of its initiatives the value of language as a means of reasoning, expression and respectful exchange between different viewpoints. The aim is to reflect, together with the public and through the contributions of intellectuals, writers, academics and artists, on the value of dialogue in all its forms: from intercultural, interreligious and intergenerational dialogue, to dialogue as an element of political and social mediation essential to community life; from dialogue between disciplines and fields of knowledge, to the dialogue we must cultivate daily in our everyday relationships, in order to foster the growth of a prosperous and non-conflictual social fabric.

Two days of meetings, readings, workshops and performances to reflect on the centrality of dialogue and the many facets of language in the various spheres of our lives: from literature to art, from pedagogy to psychotherapy, from music to artificial intelligence, with in-depth explorations also dedicated to the relationship between landscape and environment and to forms of communication in the animal world.

Among the main events are Francesco Piccolo’s monologue “Il maschio Zeno Cosini”, an exploration of male identity through one of the most iconic characters in 20th-century literature; Enrico Terrinoni’s talk on inner dialogue and forms of silence in Joyce’s “Ulysses”; Liliosa Azara and Elisabetta Frontoni, who, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, will offer an in-depth exploration of the role of dialogue between political forces during the work of the Constituent Assembly; and Enrico Alleva with a talk on forms of communication and relationships among animals.

Also expected are Gemma Calamandrei and Alberto Siracusano with a session dedicated to the value of dialogue in psychotherapeutic processes; Paolo D’Angelo, with a reflection on the landscape at the intersection of environment, nature and artistic representation; and Luana Toniolo who, together with Maria Cristina Terzaghi, will discuss dialogue in the art world between past and present, between works and visitors, in light of the changes brought about by digital technologies and the latest modes of cultural engagement.

The programme is rounded off by sessions exploring music as a form of dialogue for the younger generation: Antonella Inverno and Francesco “Kento” Carlo will discuss rap as an educational tool in schools, communities and juvenile detention centres; whilst, for the ‘Le parole delle canzoni’ (The Words of Songs) segment, Sofia Assante will be in conversation with Casadilego, the breakthrough singer-songwriter of the new Italian music scene.

The event, in Piazza Damiano Sauli, in the heart of the Garbatella district, is completely free and open to all.