Laudomia Festival

Laudomia, the independent literary festival that has been bringing writing out of conventional venues and into the city for four editions, returns to Cosenza. On 11, 12 and 13 September 2025, the Bilotti Open-Air Museum will become a theatre of free and critical words, thanks to an exhibition conceived by La Base in collaboration with local publishers and bookshops.

In an unprecedented fusion of literature, public art and cultural activism, the festival takes over Corso Mazzini with presentations, meetings and readings that intertwine the themes of the books in the programme with the sculptures of the MAB, giving a voice to those who often remain on the margins. This year's title, "Divergences. Words free to move", is a declaration of intent: to combat indifference, embrace differences and give space back to the stories of those who do not conform.

Laudomia – inspired by the legendary name of a witch from Cosenza – is a festival that builds community: the featured books are read and discussed in the preceding months by students, prisoners and guests of mental health centres, with a participatory and inclusive approach. It is a powerful way to transform reading into listening and sharing, and to create culture starting from those who face silent struggles every day.

The programme will be preceded by a preview on 18 July with Ilaria Salis, and will continue with two Reload events: on 21 September with WuMing1 and on 10 October with Franco Dionesalvi's poetry collection.