In an era marked by conflicts, environmental crisis and social disillusions, literature becomes a compass to orient themselves in chaos. From 7 to 11 May 2025, Chiasso hosts the 19th edition of Classesthe international literature festival that This year he wonders about the theme “I am looking for an innocent country”. An evocative title that recalls the possibility, or perhaps the dream, of rediscovering authentic values and of imagining a more just world, capable of returning meaning, word and responsibility.
Born in 2005 and organized by the cultural association of the same name, the Festival was able to conquer a prominent place between the most significant literary events in Switzerland and the European panorama. Every year, Chiassoletteraria offers a rich and varied program: meetings, readings, artistic performances, cinematographic projections and workshops, which put international voices and new generations in dialogue, established authors and brave outsiders. In this context, literature is not only aesthetic form but an instrument of thought, comparison, resistance.
Luigi Nacci © Roberto Pastrovicchio
Among the most anticipated guests of the 2025 edition stand out names such as Micheliny Verunschkwriter and Brazilian poet winner of the prêmio Jabuti and the Oceanos prêmio, which arrives in Italian preview with the novel Only the fire remainspowerful denunciation against patriarchal hatred and religious fanaticism; Zehra DoğanKurdish artist and activist who tells the repression and resistance of the Kurdish people with his works; Rachel YouderAmerican author of Nightbitch – beast at nightvisionary novel about motherhood and female identity; BessraFranco-Switzerland writer, winner of the Swiss Literature Prize 2024 per Vous, les ancêtreswhich addresses the themes of historical memory and identity; and again Claudia Durastantiwhich presents Missioniaa reflection on the present through family dynamics, Nicola Gardiniwriter and teacher in Oxford who intertwines classic world and contemporary sensitivity, e Luigi Zojapsychoanalyst and essayist with the new essay Narrate Italyjourney through the founding myths of our country.
Among the most significant presences too Luca Casariniactivist, writer and chief mission ofMediterranean NGOwhich will bring to Chiasso his border experience gained with Mediterranea Saving Humans, to tell the sea as a border and as a wound, but also as a possible place for human and political redemption.
The program, articulated and cared for carefully, hosts surprising dialogues such as the one between the writers Fanny Desarzens And Noëmi lerch in The disenchanted mountainwhere the relationship between writing and alpine landscape is addressed. Laura Pugno And Massimo Gezzi instead they will confront the link between man and nature, in dialogue Go to the woods, do not come back/come backwho questions the transformation of the planet and our consciences. There will be a lesson-show outside the box with Massimiliano Tappari, Looking is a little wapingan invitation to change his gaze in the newspaper. Ilenia Zodiac will reflect on the role of literature in the era of social media, in a meeting with Nicolò Centemero And Arianna Limoncello. Finally, poetry will have an exceptional space with White paperreading and comparison with Andrea de Alberti, Francesca Matteoni And Italo headamong the strongest voices of the Italian poetic scene.
Chiassoletteraria is thus confirmed as a festival capable of mixing depth and accessibility, critical thinking and creative momentum, memory and utopia. In addition to the meetings with the authors, the program includes workshops for children, artistic installations, moments of conviviality and collective reflection. An opportunity to live in the word, listen to it, keep it.
For the detailed program and all information on events and appointments – with free admission – you can consult the official website: Chiassoletteraria.ch.
