The Lightness of Evil. Navigating Through Emotions
International Festival on Emotional Education
3rd Edition – Caresses and Scars
Samatzai, October 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23, 2025
The voices of the second part of the Festival: authors who heal, tell stories and inspire reflection
After the first days in September, which hosted authors such as Claudia Musio, Katia Fundarò, Francesca Spanu and Cecilia Lavatore, the second part of the Literary Festival “The Lightness of Evil – Navigating Through Emotions” returns to Samatzai from October 16 to 23, 2025, expanding its perspective with new voices and new themes: from emotional education for children to philosophical reflection, from children’s literature to the great themes of identity and resilience.
The Festival, promoted by the Municipality of Samatzai in collaboration with the associations Città della Terra Cruda and Progresso Donna, with the support of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the participation of numerous institutions, schools and associations, confirms itself as a point of reference for those who believe in the power of words and emotional education as tools for collective growth.
The protagonists of this second part will be authors who have made words a bridge between introspection and relationships. A constellation of different voices united by the same goal: helping people understand and tell the story of emotions, wounds and rebirths that run through every age of life.
- Francesca Safina, psychologist and writer, debuted with the novel Cambio vita cercasi (Garzanti, 2024);
- Irene Monge, philosopher of narration and counselor, teaches Bibliotherapy at the University of Verona;
- Ilenia Zedda, writer and copywriter, author for DeAgostini and Salani, winner of the Best Newcomer Award 2020;
- Eva Rasano, illustrator and children’s author, winner of the Andersen Award 2024 and the Nati per Leggere Award 2015;
- Annalisa Manca, literature teacher and trainer at CRIF – Center for Documentation on Philosophical Inquiry – who integrates Philosophy for Children into teaching to educate reflective thinking and growth through dialogue;
- Matteo Porru, writer, screenwriter and columnist, winner of the Campiello Giovani Award and the Grand Prix du Livre;
- Teresa Manes, anti-bullying activist and Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for her civic commitment;
- Barbara Tamborini, psycho-pedagogist and author of bestselling educational books for parents and young people;
- Valeria Locati, psychotherapist and book therapist, communicator on relationships and mental health.
This year’s theme, “Caresses and Scars,” continues to be the guiding thread of a journey through reflection, emotion and awareness, involving writers, philosophers, psychologists, teachers, illustrators and musicians. Alongside literary meetings, workshops with Eva Rasano and Annalisa Manca are planned, as well as literary trekking with the association Andalas de Amistade and activities dedicated to children and schools. The program is further enriched with special events such as the photographic exhibition The B-Side by photographer Fiorella Sanna, hosted at the Ex Monte Granatico.
OCTOBER PROGRAM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025
Municipal Library of Serrenti (meeting with schools)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Workshops with primary school classes:
“My friend Bole through the mirror. The deception of one’s own projections”
by philosopher of narration Irene Monge
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
Municipal Library of Samatzai (meeting with schools)
9:30 am – “I am okay, always” – emotional education workshop with psychologist and writer Francesca Safina (2nd and 3rd grade)
11:00 am – “I love my body” – emotional education workshop with Francesca Safina (4th and 5th grade)
Ex Monte Granatico
5:00 pm – Presentation of the book Cambio vita cercasi by Francesca Safina (Garzanti, 2024) – moderated by Marta Serra
6:00 pm – Dialogue between literature and philosophy by Irene Monge:
“Without play, without violence: rethinking human choice” from Ethos della violenza videoludica by Elena del Fante (Wipe, 2025)
7:00 pm – Presentation of the book Se mi guardo da dentro by Ilenia Zedda (Salani, 2024) – moderated by Gloria Corda
9:00 pm – Screening of the film Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025
Caterina Ecca Residential Community
9:45 am – Presentation of the children’s book Merlino, sei piccolo o grande? by Eva Rasano (Pulce, 2025) and workshop by the author (Andersen Award 2024)
Municipal Library of Samatzai
3:30 pm – Philosophy for Children workshop by Annalisa Manca (teacher and CRIF member), inspired by the book Sono io, un libro per conoscersi by Chang Tzu-chun (Camelo Zampa, 2024) – for children aged 8–11
Piazza Primo Maggio
5:00 pm – Presentation of the book Il volo sopra l’oceano by Matteo Porru (Garzanti, 2025) – moderated by Emanuela Porcu
6:30 pm – Presentation of the book Andrea oltre il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa by Teresa Manes (Fabbri Editori, 2025) – moderated by Matteo Porru
Musical entertainment with Maestro Michele Brandinu
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025
Samatzai
10:00 am – Literary trekking with the association Andalas de Amistade Trekking ASDAPS
11:30 am – Silent Book Party at Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Samatzai
Aperilibro – musical entertainment with Gianfranco Carboni and Walter Atzori
Ex Monte Granatico
5:00 pm – Presentation of the book Esci da quella stanza. Come e perché riportare i nostri figli nel mondo by Alberto Pellai and Barbara Tamborini (Mondadori, 2025) – with Barbara Tamborini, moderated by Irene Monge
6:00 pm – Literary reading by the association Progresso Donna from Ragazza mia by Barbara Tamborini (De Agostini, 2025)
7:00 pm – Presentation of the book La distanza che cura. Viaggio verso l’indipendenza emotiva dai legami familiari by Valeria Locati (Mondadori, 2025) – moderated by Roberto Caria
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025
Ex Monte Granatico
6:30 pm – Presentation of the book Un amore di contrabbando. Gigi Riva, una vita in rovesciata by Nicola Muscas (Mondadori, 2025) – moderated by Antonella Pasci (Associazione Red Serrenti)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
Microcythemia Hospital of Cagliari
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Readings for patients of the S.C. Microcythemia and Rare Anemias, in collaboration with Renzo Galanello APS, by Emanuela Porcu and Guido Carcangiu
The full calendar of meetings, workshops, debates and performances:
www.laleggerezzadelmalefestival.it/programma-2025
Guest biographies are available at:
www.laleggerezzadelmalefestival.it/ospiti
Partner Festivals
Festival dell’Altrove of Guasila, Festival Settesere Settepiazze, Settelibri of Perdasdefogu, Book Fair of Iglesias, Monreale Literary Festival of San Gavino Monreale.
The Association of Cities of Raw Earth was founded in 2001 as an alliance among cities that recognize the value of raw-earth architecture and settlements as components of the landscape that characterize their territories, as the basis for a sustainable development model. The Association promotes the reuse of raw earth in contemporary building, starting from the protection, restoration and reuse of traditional raw-earth buildings, promoting the use of natural materials in construction to support sustainable living. The Association adheres to the international document “Living the Earth, for the Right to Build in Raw Earth,” promoted in 2010 by CRATerre, the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture of Grenoble, and numerous institutions and figures who promote earth architecture worldwide. (https://www.terracruda.org)
The Progresso Donna association was founded in 2015; its main goal is education in non-violence in all its forms. Over its ten years of activity, it has built collaborations with schools and local associations, creating moments of debate and reflection through film forums, readings and training courses on issues such as child exploitation, child brides, women’s emancipation and gender-based violence. Collaboration agreements with the Municipality of Samatzai on topics such as environmental education, social and health issues, animal welfare, One Health and the recovery of linguistic and historical identity have further encouraged active community participation.