Herculaneum once again transforms its history into a contemporary spectacle. From September 10th to 12th, at 8:00 PM, the Archaeological Park will host a new edition of "Gli Ozi di Ercole," the summer festival featuring lectures, theatrical readings, and concerts on the ancient beach, among the ruins unearthed by the eruption of 79 AD.
The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is "Love and War," a pairing that spans classical culture and modern times, intertwining poetry, philosophy, theater, and music. From Plato to Thucydides, from Lucretius to Freud, the three evenings will offer a dialogue between past and present, with conversations accompanied by staged readings and concluded by musical performances.
"The Ozi di Ercole have become a key event in the cultural life of the Park: every summer they give back to the community an archaeological site that opens itself to contemporary art, words, and music, without ever losing the scientific rigor that distinguishes us," says Federica Colaiacomo, director of the Ercolano Archaeological Park.
"Reviews like this demonstrate that heritage protection and cultural valorization can and must go hand in hand, offering the public new ways to understand ruins and their universal significance," he adds.
Some of the most esteemed performers on the Italian scene will take turns performing, including Lucia Mascino, Isabella Ragonese, and Federica Fracassi. Laura Pepe, Carmen Gallo, and Silvia Romani will be featured in the conversations, along with artistic director Gennaro Carillo.
"This year, three of the most sensitive and beloved actresses on the Italian stage will be performing at the Ozi," Carillo emphasizes, noting the presence of Mascino, Ragonese, and Fracassi. For the latter, this is a return to Ercolano, while the other two actresses are well-known to the general public through film and television.
Music, a central element of the event, will also be present. "I'm delighted that music will play an important role again this year," explains Carillo. The program includes "Songs of Love and War" with Ambrogio Sparagna and Erasmo Treglia Simeoni, a Bach lecture with Giovanni Boccadoro, and a talk with Francesco Di Bella, a leading figure on the Italian indie scene.
Three different proposals to conclude three evenings dedicated to the meeting of languages and generations, without separating popular tradition from classical and singer-songwriter music.
"Gli Ozi di Ercole" will be held on September 10, 11, and 12, from 8:00 PM at the Ercolano Archaeological Park. Full-price tickets are €10, reduced-price tickets for young people between 18 and 25 are €5, and season tickets for all three evenings are €15. Advance tickets are available online and on-site, subject to availability.
