Guests of 2025 ed.
Naturalness to inhabit the world
Numerous guests with varied personalities and professional backgrounds.
Each of them will create privileged moments of sharing and mutual contamination in an exchange aimed at the growth of the participants.
Simona Baldelli
Writer
Simona Baldelli, a writer born in Pesaro and living in Rome, is one of the most esteemed voices on the Italian literary scene, with numerous awards to her name. Her debut novel, “Evelina e le fate” (Giunti, 2013), was a finalist for the Italo Calvino Prize and won the 2013 John Fante Literary Prize. “Il tempo bambino” (Giunti, 2014) was a finalist for the Città di Gubbio Literary Prize. In 2016, she published “La vita a rovescio” (Giunti), winner of the 2017 Caffè Corretto-Città di Cave Prize, inspired by the true story of Caterina Vizzani. This was followed by “L’ultimo spartito di Rossini” (Piemme, 2018), “Vicolo dell’immaginario” (Sellerio, 2019), and “Fairytale di Natale” (Sellerio, 2020). In 2021, she published the children’s book “La neve fino cade” (Giunti) and “Alfonsina e la strada” (Sellerio), winners of the 2021 Memo Geremia City of Padua Sports Literary Award. In 2023, she published “Processo ad Antigone” (People) and “Il pozzo delle bambole” (Sellerio), for which she won the 2023 National Literary Award for Women Writers. For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, she presented “Il ciambellano e il lupo” (Emons, 2025), the first volume in the “Piazza Bella Piazza” series, illustrated by Francesco Chiacchio. The novel tells the story of Giorgio, a boy who, overcoming his fears, embarks on a bicycle journey for the love of Marianna, forging a special friendship with a wounded animal and learning to shape his dreams.
Bibiana Cau
Writer
A Sardinian midwife with a long career dedicated to accompanying new lives through birth, Bibbiana made her literary debut with “The Midwife” (Editrice Nord, 2025). Born and resident in Sardinia, Bibbiana cultivated her passion for writing while writing her thesis in Social History. She furthered her skills by attending courses at the Holden School in Turin, in Narrative Medicine at the Sardinian Local Health Authorities, and in London. She writes with Marco Mancassola, honing her narrative skills. “The Midwife” is set in September 1917 in Norolani, where Mallena, a midwife practicing an ancient skill, faces financial hardship and the arrival of Angelica Ferrari, a qualified midwife. The novel tells the story of two women, seemingly rivals but united by a desire for freedom and independence, victims of a world rife with injustice, until the entire Norolani community demands justice for Mallena and her past.
Ester Cois
Writer
Ester Cois, a PhD in Sociology of Gender and Family, is a territorial sociologist at the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Cagliari. She teaches Urban Sociology in the master’s degree programs in Politics, Society and Territory and Architecture. She is also managing editor of the international journal “Sociologica. International Journal for Sociological Debate.” Her research focuses on gender inequalities in the use of public space and on processes of regeneration and social inclusion in urban and rural contexts.
For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Cois presents her book “Tracce di famiglia” (Rosenberg & Sellier, 2025). The book analyzes the familist paradigm, which often attributes socioeconomic disparities to exclusive family models geared towards personal profit. The author retraces seventy years of debate on the “dual speed” of Italian growth, critically deconstructing the analytical declinations of familism. This volume aims to refocus Economic and Territorial Sociology on the relationship between family organizational forms and the strategic dynamics of socioeconomic evolution. “Family traces” are not seen as legacies, but as crucial intergenerational practices in the processes of social regulation of the economy.
Licia Colò
Licia Colò needs no introduction. A renowned Italian presenter, author, writer, and blogger, she’s an icon of popular science and travel. She began her television career in 1983, hosting “Bim bum bam” with Paolo Bonolis and alongside Maurizio Costanzo. Her passion for nature emerged with “L’arca di Noè” (Canale 5, 1989). In 1996, she moved to Rai, hosting “Geo & Geo,” “King Kong – Un pianeta da salvare,” and “Timbuctù.” Since 1998, the Sunday program “Alle falde del Kilimangiaro” has established her as a popular program, leading her to write travel books. In 2001, she founded the online newspaper “Animali e animali,” focusing on nature and the environment. She has hosted “Cominciamo bene animali e animali” and “Condominio Terra.” After a stint at TV2000 with “Il mondo insieme” and “Animali e animali” (which also became a non-profit organization and blog), she returned to Rai in 2018 with “Niagara – Quando la natura fa spettacolo.” Since 2019, she has hosted “Eden – Un pianeta da salvare” on LA7, for which she received the Flaiano Award.
Alessandro De Roma
Author
Alessandro De Roma, born in Carbonia but raised in Ghilarza, is among the most esteemed writers in contemporary Sardinian literature. A philosophy graduate, he teaches history and philosophy in Sassari. He made his debut in 2007 with “Vita e morte di Ludovico Lauter” (Dessì Prize). His works include “Quando tutto tace” (Bompiani, 2011), “La mia maledizione” (Einaudi, 2014), and “Grande terra sommersa” (Fandango, 2023). Three of his novels have been translated into French by Gallimard.
For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, he presents “Il principe rosa” (Fandango, 2025). The novel follows Maristella, who grew up between Poetto and the Sardinian hinterland, inspired by her communist doctor father and by Mother Teresa. A skeptical thirty-year-old, after her father’s death, she takes a trip to Calcutta that forces her to confront shattered dreams. A trip to Nice offers her an unexpected turning point, revealing how De Roma’s writing, with the power of “unspoken truths,” explores the human soul amidst its uncertainties.
Arianna Farinelli
Writer
A multifaceted figure in the Italian and international cultural landscape, she has lived permanently in the United States since 2000. Her academic training includes a doctorate in Political Science, and for a decade she shared her knowledge with students at the prestigious City University of New York. This solid academic foundation, combined with her experience living between two continents, has given her a unique perspective that informs her work.
For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Farinelli presents “Storia di una brava ragazza” (Einaudi, 2025). The novel explores the complexity of being born a girl in a Roman suburb in the late 1970s. The protagonist confronts the discovery of sex, class differences, and shame, which drive her to seek redemption. The narrative follows her courageous journey “to the other side of the world,” where she builds a new life between marriage, children, divorce, and a career. Within its pages, one can sense the struggle to change one’s destiny, transforming “Story of a Good Girl” into a powerful tale of female redemption and self-determination.
NUR QUARTET
Band
Nur Quartet – Forty years of music in a new sound.
Nur Quartet, a project that brings together four musicians from diverse backgrounds but deeply rooted in the Sardinian music scene.
From Kenze Neke to Àrgia, to Nur, passing through Ritmia, with collaborations ranging from the Tenores di Neoneli to Andrea Pisu, master of the launeddas, up to rock and blues groups: a musical heritage that spans genres, territories and decades.
With nearly forty years of activity behind them, Nur Quartet blends tradition and experimentation, narrating the island through an essential, lively, contemporary sound language.
Enrico Frongia. (microfono voce, D.I. chitarra acustica)
Massimo Loriga (microfono Voce, D.I. sax)
Massimo Perra ( mic. Percussione , 3 D.I. per organetto e fisa stereo)
Daniele Cuccu (mic cori e trunfa, D.I. chitarra acustica e D.I. bouzouki)
Edoardo Mantega
Writer
Among this year’s youngest guests is Edoardo Mantega. Born in Cagliari in 1995, he has a degree in Modern Literature and Multimedia Production and teaches Italian and History in Cagliari. He won the Salvatore Mannuzzu Prize with his story “The Promise of Being There.” His first novel, “Annìle. Or, False Fairy Tale of the Iron Mountain” (Maestrale, 2025), won the Gramsci Prize.
The book, which he is presenting on the stage at CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, is a diary found on the peaks of Montiferru, in an “annìle” (a herd for lambs). Attributed to the mysterious figure of Annìle, who could be a man, a fox, or an idea, the diary is the very voice of the “iron mountain.” Spanning four seasons, it recounts the human and literary development of Annìle with Maddalena, who teaches Annìle the art of storytelling. The novel explores Annìle’s ancient body, made of woods and solitude, a shifting world dissolved by recent fires. At its core is the precariousness of the relationship between humanity and nature, with redemption in the poetic word which, between storytelling and denunciation, survives the destruction, creating a new reality.
Raffaele Mozzillo
Writer
Raffaele Mozzillo (Caserta, 1974), a writer living in Rome, is a voice attentive to social and human complexities. He made his debut by editing, with Enos Rota, the anthology “Cronache dagli anni Zero” (Perrone editore, 2010), inspired by Tondelli. His short stories have appeared in prestigious literary magazines such as “Ellittico”, “Terranullius”, “Doppiozero”, and “Altri animali”. His novel “Tutte le promesse” (effequ, 2017) was a notable success, placing third in the Modus Legendi 2017 initiative. For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Mozzillo presents his latest work, “I fuochi della terra” (Effequ, 2025). The novel paints a stark picture of Campania, where fires and pollution cause pain and death, while the ordinary lives of characters like Carmine, Futura, Armando, Gemma, Angioletto, and Cipriano intertwine, seeking a difficult salvation in a context of degradation and fatality.
Gavino Murgia
Musician
Gavino Murgia (Nuoro, 1969) is an internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist. His career is a fascinating blend of avant-garde jazz and his deep Sardinian musical roots. Self-taught on the alto saxophone from a young age, he developed his musical skills by listening to jazz and classical music, later perfecting his skills at the “Jazz Seminars” in Nuoro, organized by Paolo Fresu. He explored the most authentic sounds of Sardinia, dedicating himself to the study of tenor singing in the bassu role and traditional launeddas. This versatility has led him to collaborate with giants such as Bobby McFerrin, Al di Meola, Michel Godard, and Mal Waldron, performing at major jazz festivals in Europe and beyond. Since 2007, he has released numerous albums, cementing his reputation as an innovative artist. At CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Gavino Murgia will present “The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giono, an opportunity to appreciate his artistic sensibility in a narrative context.
Michela Panichi
Writer
Born in Naples in 2000, she is an emerging author on the Italian literary scene. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Modern Literature in her hometown and a master’s degree in Italian Studies in Bologna, she came to prominence in 2020, winning the Campiello Giovani prize with her story “Meduse.” She has also published in “Quasi di nascosto” (2022) and honed her writing skills with Antonella Cilento.
Her latest book, “La Cecilia” (Nottetempo, 2025), will be presented on the stage at CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025. During the summer in Ischia, a thirteen-year-old girl, Cecilia, confronts the harsh reality of growing up. She is mistaken for a boy, opening herself up to the darkness of sex and social hypocrisy. This experience leaves her bitter, further heightened by the discovery that her name coincides with that of a South American amphibian worm, an entity that is biologically both male and female. This analogy with animals is not accidental; it is central to the environmental and gender identity issues explored by the author. “La Cecilia” suggests that nature is intrinsically more open and fluid than rigid human conventions. The amphibious creature becomes a symbol of a freedom of identity that society struggles to accept.
Franciscu Sedda
Writer
Franciscu Sedda is a professor at the University of Cagliari, where he teaches Semiotics of Languages and Languages, Semiotics of Contemporary Communication, and Cultural Semiotics. He has also taught at Harvard and the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo. His publications include “Tradurre la tradizione” (2019) and “Su porceddu” (2020).
Per CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, presenta “L’imprevedibile accade” (Bompiani, 2025), un “libro-bussola” per orientarsi nel XXI secolo. Il testo analizza la costante turbolenza del nostro tempo, dalla politica al clima, dall’economia ai media. Sedda esplora come sorprese, errori e crisi plasmino la realtà, dagli smartphone a figure come Trump e Musk. Il libro offre nuovi sguardi per affrontare un mondo dove l’imprevisto è la norma, invitando a rendere “abitabile” questa complessa realtà.
Federico Taddia
Writer – Journalist
Federico Taddia is a versatile journalist, writer, and popularizer, known for his ability to make complex concepts accessible and entertaining, especially for younger audiences. He has hosted television programs on Rai3, Rai Cultura, and Dea Kids (“Screensaver,” “Nautilus,” “Terza Pagina,” “Big Bang”) and radio programs on Radio2 and Radio24 (“L’Altrolato,” “Monolocale,” “Padriterni,” “Pappappero,” “L’Altra Europa”). He also contributes to Fiorello’s writing, the program “DiMartedì” (La7), the daily newspaper “La Stampa,” and the weekly magazine “Topolino.” Together with Telmo Pievani, he created the podcast “Terra in vista – Science and technology explained to my son.” He has received the Alberto Manzi Award for educational communication and, with the “Teste Toste” series, the Andersen Award for best science popularization series for children. A CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025 presents “Escape from Wonder: The Brilliant Life of Albert Einstein Among Violins, Compasses, and Socks” (Mondadori, 2025). This book is not a traditional biography, but an attempt to explore Einstein’s mind and heart, inviting readers (aged 10 and up) to think freely, joke, be rebellious, and maintain the capacity for wonder, a fundamental attitude for intelligence and discovery.
Roberta Ragona “Tostoini”
Illustrator
Roberta Ragona, aka Tostoini, is an illustrator born in Cagliari but living in Milan. Her background as an anthropologist enriches her artistic vision. Her illustrations, characterized by their ability to approach very serious subjects with a light touch and vice versa, have appeared in books by Albero delle Matite, Effequ, and Quinto Quarto, and in international projects for the World Monuments Fund, the European Union, and UNDP (such as a museum installation in Iraqi Kurdistan and digital guides for UNESCO sites). Her passion for drawing is combined with a profound reflection on her subjects, often curious animals, with a predilection for “lamentini” and “lamante” (manatees). For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Tostoini presents “I fossili viventi” (Aboqa, 2025), a book that explores animal species that seem to emerge from a distant past, telling incredible stories and fascinating discoveries, from the vampire squid to the platypus, inviting us to reflect on the long history of the Earth and our future of coexistence.
Marco Valsesia
Beekeeper – Writer
Marco Valsesia (1992) is a young Piedmontese beekeeper who inherited from his grandfather a deep passion for bees, insects essential to life on Earth. With thousands of followers on social media following the exploits of his hives, Valsesia has become a dedicated environmentalist. His debut book, “The Secret Life of Bees” (Longanesi, 2023), was a finalist for prestigious awards and won the “Pagine della terra” literary prize for its ability to “change readers’ worldviews.” For CostellAzioni Letterarie 2025, Valsesia presents “A World Without Bees” (Longanesi, 2025). The book addresses the alarming rate of insect extinction, eight times faster than that of vertebrates, and the threats facing bees, inviting readers to rediscover their connection with nature. Following the life of a worker bee, the book explores the balance of a hive, the dangers that threaten it, and the daunting challenges they face. It aims to inspire action and change, in keeping with the hive’s motto: “United we can achieve anything, because only in unity lies true strength.”
Silvano Vargiu
Actor and director
Silvano Vargiu, born in Lanusei in 1978, is an Italian actor. He is a member of Nuovo IMAIE and Moviementu Sardegna. His career has been studded with significant roles in major productions. He is best known for his role in the TV series “Il cacciatore” (2018). He starred in Luca Lucini’s “Io e mio fratello” (2021) and in “Il criminologist” (2016), directed by Antonio Rojch. His screen presence and versatility make him a recognizable face on both the small and big screen, contributing intense performances to Italian cinema and television.