by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Elisa Lodi, Trieste Councilor for Real Estate Assets and Sport; Chiara Gelmini, Illustrator of the Pedocin Trilogy; Maurizio De Blasio, Trieste Councilor for Education and Family
Parks, promenades and even one of Trieste’s most iconic beaches will become open-air reading rooms this summer as the city launches LETSread Summer Edition, a series of public literary events designed to bring books beyond library walls.
The program opens on July 20 at 8 p.m. at the historic Pedocin (La Lanterna) beach, where readers will meet author Micol Brusaferro, illustrator Chiara Gelmini and publisher Diego Manna for a conversation centered on Brusaferro’s bestselling trilogy about the beloved seaside bathing establishment.
Organized by the City of Trieste’s reading initiative Officina della Lettura, the events are free and open to everyone, whether they have read the featured books or simply wish to join the discussion.
City officials said the initiative combines two defining features of Trieste: its literary tradition and the Pedocin, the century-old beach known nationwide for its distinctive atmosphere. Recent improvements at the beach include a book-crossing station and a dedicated reading area, complementing accessibility upgrades such as the SeaTrac system for visitors with disabilities.
Brusaferro said the July 20 event will offer behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of her trilogy, which began in 2015 and has sold more than 10,000 copies. Readings from the books will explore the characters, humor and traditions that have made the Pedocin a local institution.
The summer series will continue with two additional outdoor gatherings: July 26 at Passeggio Sant’Andrea and August 9at the Barcola Fountain, each featuring different books selected by the city’s reading groups.
LETSread Summer Edition is part of Trieste’s Officina della Lettura project, supported by Italy’s Center for Books and Reading (CEPELL) through the city’s Reading Pact initiative.
