Rereading the Classics 2026–2027: The Search for Peace in a Time of War

The fifth edition of the “Rileggere i Classici” event is set to begin, promoted and organized by Vivoanapoli APS, Fondazione Guida alla Cultura ETS, and the Federico II Department of Humanities, with the sponsorship of the University of Naples Federico II.
The theme of the 2026–2027 edition is “The Search for Peace in a Time of War,” and it will consist of four events, running from October 23, 2026, to January 15, 2027, featuring a mix of literature, theater, film, and poetry.

The program was curated by Francesco de Cristofaro, full professor of Comparative Literature at Federico II; Emilia Leonetti, President of Vivoanapoli APS; and Diego Guida, President of the Fondazione Guida alla Cultura ETS.

The events will take place at the Ascione Coral Museum (Galleria Umberto I), the Mercadante Theater, the Saletta Rossa at the Guida Publishing House, and the Department of Humanities at Federico II University according to the following schedule: Friday, October 23: Opening of the event in the Ascione Museum hall (Piazzetta Matilde, 19, Galleria Umberto I), 5:00 p.m., Leo Tolstoy, “War and Peace”; Saturday, November 21: Foyer of the Mercadante Theater, 10:30 a.m., William Shakespeare, “Henry V”; Friday, December 11: Saletta Rossa at the Guida Publishing House, 5:00 p.m., “Full Metal Jacket,” directed by Stanley Kubrick; Friday, January 15, 2027, 5:00 p.m., Department of Humanities, Franco Fortini, “Foglio di via.”

The opening event, therefore, will be held at the Ascione Coral Museum, titled “War, Peace, and the Epic Without Heroes.” The speaker will be Luca Marangolo, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature at Federico II University and author of the book “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. Joining Professor Marangolo will be Giancarlo Riccio, Ph.D. in Italian Literature from Federico II University. Cinzia Cordella, an actress, will read several pages from the book.

The program follows the format of previous editions, featuring—alongside the main speaker—a young Ph.D. candidate who can offer a different perspective on the author and the text, based on age and sensibility, as well as a young actress who will accompany the event with readings selected from the text being discussed.

The purpose of these meetings for the Vivoanapoli APS Association and the Guida alla Cultura ETS Foundation—shared with the Department of Humanities at Federico II— is to continue exploring what it means to be citizens of Naples through a “reinterpretation” of works considered immortal because they remain relevant today and are capable of prompting reflection on relationships, bonds, and how we share a common destiny.