New community reading initiatives launch in Lamezia Terme and Messina

New cultural reading initiatives are gaining traction in Italian cities, focusing on community building and social connection through literature.

In Lamezia Terme, the ‘Circolo dei lettori di Caudex’ was inaugurated at Palazzo Nicotera. Conceived by artistic director Sabrina Pugliese, the project utilizes an itinerant format, moving meetings to various significant locations across the city to promote local heritage and encourage discussion among both avid and novice readers.

In Messina, psychologist Alice Scimone has introduced a ‘silent reading’ format designed to combat loneliness and the pressures of a performance-driven society. The initiative allows participants to read their own books in a shared space, followed by brief periods of social interaction to exchange recommendations. The program aims to revitalize urban spaces and create low-pressure social connections through a shared passion for reading.