Anghiari once again becomes the Italian capital of autobiography with the Festival promoted by the Libera Università dell’Autobiografia
The Autobiography Festival, promoted by the Libera Università dell’Autobiografia, is dedicated to self-writing, memory and the narration of personal and collective experiences.
The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is “Autobiography through the ages of life”, a reflection on the way autobiographical writing accompanies the different stages of existence: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and later life. At the heart of the Festival is once again the value of memory as a tool for awareness, care, relationship and transmission.
The programme includes meetings, conversations, workshops, staged readings, performances and moments of discussion with scholars, writers, trainers and researchers. Guests and protagonists of this edition include Duccio Demetrio, Stefania Bolletti, Caterina Benelli, Massimiliano Bruni, Giammarco Alderotti, Gianguido Palumbo, Natalia Cangi, Benedetta Centovalli, Nicoletta Polla-Mattiot, Micaela Castiglioni, Paolo Jedlowski, Renato Franchi, Giovanna Mori and Raffaele Simone.
On Sunday 6 September, Raffaele Simone will receive the Premio Città dell’Autobiografia during the meeting “La vita anteriore”, in conversation with Federico Batini.
As usual, the Festival will alternate theoretical insights with opportunities for direct participation, offering the public the chance to approach autobiographical practice and the role that writing can play in giving form, meaning and continuity to one’s life journey.
PROGRAMME
Friday 4 September
Teatro di Anghiari
3:00 PM
WHAT THE TREE HOLDS: MEMORY, STORYTELLING AND THE AGES OF LIFE
Performance by Henri and Salomè Olama
4:00 PM
OPENING OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY FESTIVAL
With Stefania Bolletti, Duccio Demetrio, Caterina Benelli, Massimiliano Bruni and the Mayor of Anghiari Alessandro Polcri
4:15 PM
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES AND THE AGES OF LIFE
Duccio Demetrio introduces the theme of the Festival
4:45 PM
POSITIVE DEMOGRAPHY: A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT AGEING
With Giammarco Alderotti, introduced by Gianpaolo Nuvolati
5:30 PM
CHILDHOODS. WE AS GIRLS AND BOYS
With Gianguido Palumbo, presented by Duccio Demetrio
6:00 PM
THE CHANGES IN SELF-WRITING THROUGH THE AGES OF LIFE
Conversation between Natalia Cangi, Director of the Archivio Diaristico Nazionale, and Caterina Benelli
6:30 PM
BEFORE ME. MEMORIES AND REFLECTIONS ON OUR FAMILY ORIGINS
Stefanie Risse presents the latest work of the remote autobiographical writing circle
9:30 PM
IN THE TERRITORIES: INTERWOVEN VOICES FROM LUA REPRESENTATIVES
Conversation and workshop with the public
Saturday 5 September
Teatro di Anghiari
9:00 AM
STAGED READING
Curated by Simona Garbarino and Andrea Merendelli
9:15 AM
CHILDHOOD. WHEN WORDS CALL
Stefano Raimondi talks with young writers
10:00 AM
STAGED READING
Curated by Simona Garbarino and Andrea Merendelli
10:15 AM
ADOLESCENCE
“On Elsa Morante’s Il mondo salvato dai ragazzini”, with Benedetta Centovalli
“The ecology of silence and the thoughts of young people”, with Nicoletta Polla-Mattiot
11:15 AM
ADULTHOOD
“Educating ourselves to solitude” by Micaela Castiglioni, presented by the author
“Adulthood and participation. Stories of shared care for common goods”, with Alessandra Valastro and Daniela Ciaffi
12:00 PM
STAGED READING
Curated by Simona Garbarino and Andrea Merendelli
12:15 PM
LATER LIFE
“Lungo la strada”, Paolo Jedlowski in conversation with Vittoria Sofia.
Renato Franchi presents the volume “Lungo la strada. Anni di vita e di musica”, introduced by Mariangela Giusti, and concludes with a musical performance
Palazzo Testi
3:00 PM and 5:30 PM
WORKSHOPS
“My courtyard is beautiful: writing about oneself with picture books”, with Alessia Roselli and Milena Perazzini
“Different languages: self-narratives in adolescence”, with Ilaria Miglio and Sara Moretti
“The ghost in the house”, with Ludovica Danieli, Donatella Messina and Maria Luisa Vezzali
“Writing in the fourth age of life”, with Vittoria Sofia and Paola Madrigali
Anghiari Library
3:30 PM
BORN TO WRITE
Autobiographical writing workshop for girls and boys aged 8 to 13, curated by Maria Rosa Marchi and Mariella Pavani
Teatro di Anghiari
9:30 PM
DISCARICA DI ME
Performance written and performed by Giovanna Mori
Sunday 6 September
Teatro di Anghiari
9:30 AM
THE JOURNAL AUTOBIOGRAFIE
With Caterina Benelli and Giorgio Macario
10:00 AM
I QUADERNI DI ANGHIARI – NARR-AZIONE
From the City of Autobiography to the Village of Storytellers, with Roberto Scanarotti
10:30 AM
AWARD CEREMONY OF THE L’ALBERO DELLE CILIEGIE COMPETITION
Curated by Giorgio Macario and Massimiliano Bruni
11:30 AM
LA VITA ANTERIORE
Raffaele Simone in conversation with Federico Batini.
Presentation of the Premio Città dell’Autobiografia to Raffaele Simone
12:30 PM
CLOSING OF THE FESTIVAL
With Duccio Demetrio, Stefania Bolletti, Caterina Benelli and Massimiliano Bruni
Information
Contacts:
+39 0575 788847
