Literary Aperitifs 2026 in Stresa

Throughout October 2026, Stresa will dedicate five afternoons to literature, history and culture with the Literary Aperitifs, a series of events promoted by the Le Stresiane Cultural Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Stresa.

The events will take place every Saturday, from October 3 to 31, at 4:30 pm in the Sala Canonica of Stresa Town Hall. Five meetings covering five different topics, ranging from fiction and local history to Franz Kafka and Stresa, as well as the world of football.

Admission is free, and each meeting will be followed by an aperitif.

Programme of the Literary Aperitifs 2026

Saturday, October 3: Maria Elisa Gualandris presents "Angeli di ghiaccio"

The series opens on Saturday, October 3 at 4:30 pm with author Maria Elisa Gualandris, who will present her book Angeli di ghiaccio.

This will be the first of five cultural afternoons organised in the heart of Stresa and will officially launch the Literary Aperitifs programme.

Saturday, October 10: Piervalle presents "Grand Hôtel Stresa"

The second event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 4:30 pm and will feature Piervalle, author of Grand Hôtel Stresa.

A meeting particularly closely connected to the town hosting the event, starting with the very title of the work being presented.

Saturday, October 17: Verbanus 2026 and Franz Kafka's stay in Stresa

On Saturday, October 17 at 4:30 pm, the focus will turn to local history with Vittorio Grassi and Roberto Valli, who will present the journal Verbanus 2026.

The meeting will focus in particular on Franz Kafka's stay in Stresa, offering an opportunity to explore an interesting chapter in the relationship between the town and one of the most important figures in 20th-century literature.

Saturday, October 24: Alberto Salina presents "La Marcia su Roma"

The programme continues on Saturday, October 24 at 4:30 pm with Alberto Salina and the presentation of the book La Marcia su Roma.

As specified on the event poster, the book is dedicated to the eighth investigation of Marshal Gatti, set in Stresa in October 1937.

Saturday, October 31: Alberto Cerruti presents "Dal vostro inviato"

The final Literary Aperitif is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 at 4:30 pm.

Journalist Alberto Cerruti will present Dal vostro inviato – Mezzo secolo in rosa con i grandi del calcio, a book dedicated to his experience in sports journalism and the world of football.

The event will bring to a close a month of meetings that will have welcomed authors, journalists and scholars to Stresa, covering a wide variety of topics.

Books, history and culture in the centre of Stresa

The Literary Aperitifs in Stresa offer a simple format: the opportunity to meet authors and scholars directly, discover books and publications, and explore topics ranging from fiction and history to sport.

Particular attention is also given to the local area, as demonstrated by the events dedicated to Grand Hôtel Stresa, Franz Kafka's stay in Stresa and the journal Verbanus.

Each meeting will also be followed by an aperitif, organised in collaboration with La Rampolina.

When and where the Literary Aperitifs take place

All events will take place in the Sala Canonica of Stresa Town Hall, always at 4:30 pm.

The series includes five meetings, scheduled for every Saturday in October: October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026.