The 44th edition of the “Libri di Liguria” festival is set to take place in Peagna, a district of Ceriale in the province of Savona, starting on 30 August. This year’s programme centres around the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, featuring a series of evening events that explore the theme of freedom. The organisers aim to highlight the significance of resisting oversimplification and indifference, ideas echoed by Piero Calamandrei.
The opening event will see the presentation of a comic book titled “Liberi Tutti”, created by illustrator Mauro Moretti with an introduction by Gino Rapa. The work draws inspiration from Calamandrei’s 1955 speech on the Constitution and is intended for audiences of all ages. This presentation will take place in the afternoon at Casa Girardenghi, a historic building in the village, where visitors can also view a bibliographic exhibition showcasing recently acquired volumes related to Liguria from the specialised “Libri di Liguria – Prof. Francesco Gallea” library.
The festival will also feature displays of the comic’s illustrations, paintings focused on Liguria curated by the “Lo Schizzo” A.P.S. Association from Toirano, and artworks produced by middle school students from the Istituto Comprensivo Val Varatella. All exhibits will revolve around the concept of freedom.
The first evening event, titled “Free Spirits and the Future of Democracy,” will include a lecture by philosopher Simone Regazzoni. He will discuss democracy as a promise of a space where freedom is accessible to all, encompassing freedom of speech, movement, and moral beliefs. Regazzoni emphasises that “this freedom is not, however, a simple given acquired once and for all” but rather “an individual commitment” that requires “avoiding massification, passivity towards power and dominant thought, preserving one’s uniqueness and living as a ‘free spirit’, to use Nietzsche’s words.”
On Sunday 31 August, the programme will focus on the history of free radios, which began as “pirate” broadcasters before gaining official recognition following a 1976 Constitutional Court ruling affirming the right to freedom of expression.
Monday 1 September will feature a discussion on migration to and from Liguria as opportunities for cultural exchange and integration, organised in collaboration with the associations “Liguri nel Mondo A.P.S.” and “Suq Genova Festival e Teatro.” The panel will include journalist and author Giovanni Mari alongside Mario Menini, Carla Peirolero, and Alberto Lasso.
Tuesday 2 September will be dedicated to the event “Free Liguria,” supported by Ligurian Resistance Historical Institutes and the Ceriale branch of ANPI. This session will offer insights into the distinct characteristics of the four partisan zones that divided the region during the Resistance.
On Wednesday 3 September, the “San Giorgio” BFI – ILFIAP Photographic Circle will host an evening titled “Visual Spaces of Sanremo – The Creative Freedom of Contemporary Photography,” featuring contributions from photographers and representatives of Caritas and Amnesty International.
The festival will conclude on Thursday 4 September with the presentation of the five finalists for the Anthia Prize and the announcement of the Ligurian Book of the Year 2025. The winner will be awarded a piece created by artist Ivano Calcagno in partnership with the Albissola Marina Artists’ Circle.
Exhibitions and the book festival will be open at Casa Girardenghi from 30 August to 4 September between 6pm and 9pm, and from 5 to 7 September from 6pm to 11pm. The Peagna Friends Association has expressed its gratitude in advance to participants and encourages attendees to approach the events with a “free spirit.”
