2nd Edition of Ridda Selvaggia – Children's Literature Festival

Ridda Selvaggia – Children's Literature Festival The second edition of a vibrant celebration of books and the arts for children, taking place from June 13 to 15 in the enchanting Bosco Seleni in Lanusei and extending into schools across the Unione dei Comuni dell’Ogliastra between November and December. Promoted by the Municipality of Lanusei and artistically and organisationally curated by Cooperativa Tuttestorie, the festival is supported by the Regional Department of Education and Cultural Heritage of Sardinia, the Fondazione di Sardegna, and the Unione dei Comuni dell’Ogliastra. Ridda Selvaggia is a literature festival that starts with books and stories and expands into the visual and performing arts. It is a community-driven project engaging families, schools, local associations, institutions, and publishers. The festival is inspired by two powerful influences: one rooted in nature, the other in literature. On one hand, the striking landscape of Lanusei, with its forest, archaeological park, and the starry night sky visible from the F. Caliumi Observatory. On the other, Maurice Sendak’s masterpiece Where the Wild Things Are (Adelphi), a landmark of illustrated literature that evokes childhood as a time of transformation, exploration, and deep connection with nature and its inhabitants—plants and animals alike. The forest, a realm of the unknown, becomes the perfect setting for the ridda, the wild dance at the heart of Sendak’s story—a pivotal moment of self-discovery for the protagonist, Max. The festival program features around 100 events, including workshops, meetings, and performances with authors, illustrators, artists, narrators, librarians, and experts in children's literature.