Literary Program | Saturday May 2, 2026 Columbus Centre
| TIME | PRESENTATION | PARTICIPANTS |
| 10:00 am | Italiese as a Bridge - Can Italiese help to learn Italian? A new study challenges models of language teaching and proposes inclusive, culturally rooted approaches to show how Italiese can foster linguistic competence, intercultural awareness, and student motivation, bridging the gap between formal instruction and heritage knowledge | Salvatore Bancheri Simone Casini Marcello Danesi Moderated by Alberta Lai |
| 11:00 am | Canadiensis: Meeting the People Who Make a Country What does Canada look like when approached through direct encounters and lived experience? What can you learn out of a 75-day, 21,000-kilometre journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The presenters offer a grounded portrait of contemporary Canada, shaped by time spent listening to artists, farmers, Indigenous elders, activists, newcomers, community leaders and ordinary people in both urban centres and remote communities. The talk is accompanied by a photo exhibition for the duration of the festival. Presented by Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto | Arianna Dagnino Stefano Gulmanelli |
| 12:00 pm | Transformations An anthology of personal, family and community based accounts of the hardships, the challenges, and ultimately the accomplishments of Italian immigrants as they worked hard to build their new lives in Canada. Also documented, in their own words, is what first generation Canadians most valued and internalized from their immigrant parents and grandparents. | Angelo Bolotta |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch break | |
| 1:00 pm | Salotto del romanzo Presenting what's new in Italian Canadian fiction | Carmela Circelli Michael Mirolla Moderated by : Rosaria Moretti |
| 2:00 pm | Evolution of Italian Canadian Literature A conversation about the evolution of Italian Canadian literature from its incipit to the most recent voices and themes emerging. What is Italian Canadian literature? Who is an Italian Canadian writer? How have our narratives changed? Librissimi Lifetime Achievement Award honourees Prof. Joseph Pivato and Dr. Antonio D'Alfonso in conversation with Association of Italian Canadian Writers President Prof. Christine Sansalone and Prof. Paolo Frascà | Joseph Pivato Antonio D'Alfonso Christine Sansalone Moderated by Paolo Frascà |
| 3:00 pm | Who am I? Who are you? A journey into writing a cultural identity from personal memoirs and narratives to developing a fictional identity in a different culture. The authors will red from their vastly different works and explore the making of cultural identity. | Rosanna Battigelli Agata De Santis Riccardo Polacci |
| 4:00 pm | The Changing Realities of Organized Crime: A conversation with Antonio Nicaso A conversation with Antonio Nicaso one of Canada's and Italy's foremost experts on 'ndrangheta and organized crime. A look ot recent evolution, his own personal commitment to this fight and his desire to offer hope to younger generations. | Antonio Nicaso with Daniela Sanzone |
| 7:30 pm | Salotto della poesia Don't miss this exceptional lineup of poets from across the country and from Italy! A fabulous evening of inspired and inspiring poetry readings. Evening hosted by Domenico Capilongo and Gianna Patriarca | Nella Cotrupi Josie Di Sciascio Andrews Silvia Falsaperla Anna Maria Farabbi Joe Giampaolo Carole Giangrande Joseph Maviglia Marco Melfi Irina Moga Caroline Morgan Di Giovanni Cindy Staffieri |