This year, under the evocative motto "Every book is a living creature," the city of Oristano enthusiastically embraces the 2026 edition of "Maggio dei Libri," the national initiative promoted by the Ministry of Culture and the Center for Books and Reading, which transforms the month of May into a major celebration of culture and the written word. The Oristano program, curated in collaboration with the Oristano Foundation and the Municipal Library, promises to be rich and varied, engaging readers of all ages: from children to adults, from parents to educators.
The festivities kicked off on May 4th with the inauguration of the bibliographical exhibition dedicated to Carlo Collodi, marking the bicentenary of his birth . Set up at the Municipal Library, the exhibition will be open throughout the month and represents a tribute to the author of one of the absolute masterpieces of children's literature. On the same day, a reading marathon retraced the adventures of the famous puppet through a collective reading of "The Adventures of Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet," an initiative that will also continue throughout May, involving schools, families, and enthusiasts.
Particular attention is paid to the youngest. Today, Monday, May 11th, the "Born to Read" project meeting, aimed at parents and educators, will take place at the Municipal Library at 4:00 PM. This event is designed to strengthen the connection between reading and early childhood, in the belief that reading aloud to children from their earliest months is both an act of love and a cultural investment.
Then, on May 14th at 4:45 pm, volunteers from the Civil Service of the Municipal Library will host a reading workshop for children, while on May 16th at 10 am, “Born to Read” will return, with animated readings designed for children aged 0 to 3 and their parents, to help them get closer to books through voice and play.
One of the most anticipated events is scheduled for Friday, May 22nd. The city will be transformed with "Biblioteca in Piazza – C'era una volta un burattino" (Library in the Square – Once Upon a Time There Was a Puppet) in Piazza Manno starting at 9:00 a.m. The fourth and fifth grade classes from the city's comprehensive schools will stage their encounter with Pinocchio, in a collective celebration that will bring the school closer to the neighborhood and books closer to real life. On the same day, at 6:00 p.m., the Pinacoteca Carlo Contini of the Municipality of Oristano will host the presentation of "Storie dell'Arte" (Art Stories), along with the launch of the magazine "La Biennale di Venezia." This event is aimed at a more mature audience, demonstrating how "Maggio dei Libri" can appeal to everyone.
A month, then, in which Oristano confirms itself as a vibrant and curious city, capable of making culture a common good to be cultivated every day. Because, as the title of this edition suggests, every book is truly a living creature, and living creatures require attention, care, and readers ready to listen.