Sicily’s summer literary festivals bring authors to Custonaci and Sampieri

The historic town of Custonaci in western Sicily will host the eighth edition of “Un borgo di libri ed autori – Letture sotto le stelle” from 23 July to 20 August. Organized by the Centro Studi Dino Grammatico and the Museo Vivente association, the free‑entry series features four Thursday evening sessions with writers such as Maria Elisa Aloisi, Maria Attanasio, Stefania Auci and Gaspare Balsamo. Local officials highlighted the event’s role in promoting cultural growth and tourism.

Meanwhile, the coastal village of Sampieri will stage the eighth “Autori & Libri, conversando a Sampieri” alongside the third “Cogitare” cycle from 18 July to 5 September. Also free to the public, the program includes talks by Simona Lo Iacono, Oscar Farinetti, Paolo Matthiae, Maria Attanasio, Pierferdinando Casini and others, set against the backdrop of the town’s famous Mediterranean beach. Both festivals aim to showcase contemporary Italian literature and attract readers to Sicily’s historic settings.