After the success of the preview on May 31st — which featured the charismatic frontman of 99 Posse, Luca Persico, aka 'O Zulù — the village of Caggiano is preparing to experience the central moment of the Rarrǝca Book Festival, in its first edition. There are now just a few days left until July 5th and 6th, dates on which the event will give full voice to its identity, with a program that intertwines literature, theater, visual arts and music.
The Rarrǝca Book Festival , whose name recalls the word "root," embraces the concept of cultural and collective rootedness. It aims to be a meeting point between experiences, languages, and generations, with the goal of enhancing the local area and establishing it in dialogue with broader realities.
The initial spark was born from a crucial first encounter, that between the local community and the Neapolitan cultural scene. Thanks to the commitment of Simona Cafaro and Francesco Castellucci—promoters of cultural initiatives in the area—and writers Giancarlo Piacci and Marco Raio, directors of the Ubik bookstore in Naples, literature has transformed into a living tool for connection, growth, and collective transformation.
The fruit of this far-sighted crossroads of ideas is a pioneering event, which has already left a significant mark on the local cultural scene, attracting attention and participation well beyond the borders of the village.
This is a summary of the program:
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Saturday 5 July 2025
16:00 pm opening of the festival by the Rarr ǝ ca collective
16:30 pm drawing workshop for children led by E. Sabatino; (*)
16:30 pm improvisation workshop by the La Vallée de l'egrenne theatre company – being a community – bell hooks;
19:00 pm Compagnia del Mantello mini-show Amateurs; (*)
19:30 pm Narhval presentation of the Jole Tognelli exhibition ;
21:00 pm Sabrina Efionayi presents Padrenostro, Feltrinelli 2024;
23:00 pm DJ set by TAHiTA
Sunday 6 July 2025
12:00 pm Francesco D. Giannino presents Kunda, Compagnia del Mantello 2025 (*)
12:30 pm Manuel Miranda presents Blancòn, Scarenz Editore 2025; (*)
4.30pm Claudio Metallo presents Calypso Hotel, Marotta&Cafiero 2025 ;
18:30 pm Wu Ming 1 presents The Fish Men, Einaudi 2024.
22pm Open music meeting
In a summer marked by scorching temperatures and a global climate filled with tension and uncertainty, participating in the Rarrǝca Book Festiva l means taking a break from the urban frenzy and cumbersome thoughts.
It is an opportunity to treat yourself to a weekend in the mountains of the Tanagro Valley, breathing fresh air and letting yourself be enveloped by the authentic beauty of one of the most fascinating villages in Campania. An invitation to rediscover the roots of Caggiano, its warm hospitality and a rich food and wine heritage capable of telling, at the table, the history of the territory.
The Rarrǝca Book Festival looks like a very interesting event, but there are many details I'm not sure about. I hope there's more information about how to participate and whether there are costs for the workshops and shows.