Festival of Complaining

Soveria Mannelli · Soveria Mannelli, Costa Viola, Calabria

1 August 2026 – 4 August 2026

Concluded event

The art of complaining in Calabria is one of the most widespread? Why not make a festival out of it! That's what the guys from the Associazione DEDA, inventors of the highly original Festival of Complaining, in Soveria Mannelli (CZ), which this year takes place from 1 to 4 August. The Festival of Complaining offers a home to those who feel the pressing need to lament what is wrong, becoming a social aggregator of instances to be brought to the attention of the general public: issues of common malaise, shared by Calabrian territorial realities, associations and communities, in an attempt to propose solutions and "network" projects.

Festival del Lamento returns to Soveria Mannelli

From 1 to 4 August 2026 Soveria Mannelli, in the province of Catanzaro, hosts the fourth edition of the Festival del Lamento (Festival of Complaining), created by the DEDA association, which turns the very Calabrian art of complaining into a cultural festival. This year's theme is 'Al peggio non c'è mai fine' (there is no limit to how bad things can get): four days of irony, reflection and culture that give voice to what is wrong and try to turn it into ideas for change. Artistic direction is by Gaetano Moraca, the association's president.

The 2026 programme

The line-up mixes civic testimony, in-depth talks and performance. Announced guests include Marco Cappato, presenting his 'Liberi subito' campaign, the journalist Filippo Ceccarelli and the anthropologist Vito Teti, who closes the festival on 4 August with a reflection on lament and melancholy as identity traits of Calabrian and Mediterranean culture. There is comedy too, with Daniele Gattano and Yoko Yamada on stage on 2 and 3 August at 10:00 pm, and music from the ALOT collective, whose 'Veni, a goodbye!' reworks the ancient polyphonic chanting of the Mediterranean.

The idea behind the festival

The Festival del Lamento gives a home to those who feel the need to complain about what is wrong, becoming a social gathering point for issues to bring to public attention: shared forms of unease, common to local communities and associations across Calabria, in an attempt to propose solutions and 'network' projects. Irony becomes a serious tool for talking about real problems - from the depopulation of villages to missing services - overturning the cliché of complaining for its own sake.

Soveria Mannelli and the Reventino

The festival is also a chance to discover Soveria Mannelli and the beautiful Reventino woodland that surrounds it. The town preserves a historic centre linked to the 'Garibaldian' sites of the Expedition of the Thousand, the Mother Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Corporate Museum of the Rubbettino publishing house, one of Calabria's best-known cultural institutions. A setting that combines mountain scenery, historical memory and cultural life, ideal for enjoying the festival's four days.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2026 Festival del Lamento take place?

From 1 to 4 August 2026.

Which town hosts it?

Soveria Mannelli, in the province of Catanzaro.

Who organises the festival?

The DEDA association, with Gaetano Moraca as artistic director.

What is the 2026 theme?

'Al peggio non c'è mai fine', the theme of the fourth edition.

Who are the main guests?

Among others, Marco Cappato, journalist Filippo Ceccarelli and anthropologist Vito Teti, plus comedians Daniele Gattano and Yoko Yamada.

What kind of event is it?

A cultural festival that uses lament and irony as tools for reflection and social gathering around the region's problems.

Is there music too?

Yes, the ALOT collective performs 'Veni, a goodbye!', a reinterpretation of Mediterranean polyphonic chants.

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