Verona Celebrates Reading with “Libri e Rose”: Authors, Dialogues, and Culture from May 7 to 11

Libri e Rose. Writing, Printing, Reading. Encounters with Authors returns to Verona, a literary festival that brings together culture, current events, and a love for books. Now in its fourth edition, the event will take place from May 7 to 11 in some of the city’s most iconic venues—including the Civic Library, the E.F. Dall’Abaco Conservatory, the Literary Society, and the Museum of Frescoes—and will offer over twenty events, including author talks, exhibitions, music performances, and public readings.

The initiative is promoted by the Literary Society of Verona and the Kasa dei Libri of Milan, with support from the City of Verona’s Departments of Culture and Educational Policies and sponsorship by AGSM AIM. It is also part of the national Maggio dei Libri campaign, organized by the Italian Ministry of Culture through its Center for Books and Reading. The goal is clear: to bring more people closer to reading in all its forms, and to promote the written word as a tool for personal and collective growth.

This year’s edition will feature prominent voices from the Italian cultural scene, including Walter Veltroni, Vittorio Lingiardi, Marco Balzano, Silvia Ballestra, Giuseppe Lupo, Eliana Liotta, and Paola Mastrocola. In addition to author talks, the festival will open with an art exhibition titled The Art of Book Covers, on Wednesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Civic Library. The exhibition will take visitors on a fascinating journey through book and magazine covers from the 1940s to the 1960s, designed by masters like Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Dalí, De Chirico, and others. The show is curated by Andrea Kerbaker and Francesca Rossi.

The program is organized into four themed sections:

• Fuori Classe (“Out of Class”): public talks tailored to high school students, connected to their curriculum.
• Freschi di Stampa (“Hot off the Press”): presentations of new and trending publications.
• Temi Caldi (“Hot Topics”): dialogues on current affairs, featuring authors and journalists.
• Varie ed Eventuali (“Miscellaneous”): a more free-spirited section offering fresh and curious perspectives on literature.

Special attention is given to younger audiences and children, with educational and playful activities designed to introduce them to the joy of reading. One highlight is a reading marathon dedicated to Emma by Jane Austen, celebrating 250 years since the British author’s birth, involving dozens of local book lovers and reading groups. There will also be a special evening of music at the Dall’Abaco Conservatory, focused on the Mozart family letters and the legacy of the Salzburg genius, who performed in Verona as a child in the Maffeiana Hall and the Church of San Tomaso Cantuariense.

As Councilors Elisa La Paglia and Marta Ugolini emphasize, Libri e Rose offers “a valuable opportunity to spread culture, foster connections, listen to new voices, and rediscover the pleasure of reading.” This is not a festival only for literary insiders, but one that opens the door to anyone passionate about stories, ideas, dialogue, and critical thinking.

All events are free and open to the public, subject to venue capacity.
The full program is available on the website of the Verona Literary Society and through the City of Verona’s official channels.