Cerignola to host inaugural Festival dei Banditi

The first edition of the ‘Festival dei Banditi’ will take place in Cerignola, Italy, from October 1 to 3, 2026. Organized by the social cooperative ‘Pietra di Scarto’ to mark its 30th anniversary, the event will be held at the ‘Francesco Marcone’ Legality Laboratory, a facility confiscated from the mafia.

The festival’s name is inspired by the work of sociologist and activist Danilo Dolci, using the term ‘banditi’ (bandits) to refer not to criminals, but to those who have been ‘put aside’ or marginalized by society. The program aims to promote social redemption, human rights, and integration.

Scheduled activities include documentaries on the murder of Francesco Marcone, discussions on nonviolent disobedience, and presentations on the arms trade in Gaza. The event will also feature workshops for children, debates on the Italian prison system and labor exploitation (caporalato), and musical performances by Maura Bloom and the rapper Lucariello.