Visiting Italy several times since past so many years has given me an adrenaline rush. It pushes me to keep seeking, learning, traveling and creating. And here I am going again to do more of the same! This time I will be a Guest and International Blogger/Journalist for the English part of their website Mantova Literature Festival/Festivaletteratura.
The International Literature Festival takes place annually in Mantova and this year (2016) it is doubly special as it is celebrating 20 years of literary success. I am stoked to be part of the 20th edition because I know this journey will be like no other!
Image Courtesy: Mantova Toursim
The town of Mantova is in the region of Lombardy, about 2 hours from Milan. It is another UNESCO world heritage site.
There will be a lot of Literature talk this entire month as several big names visit the Festivaletteratura. I can hardly contain my emotions because it’s two of the things I love a lot – BOOKS & ITALY. Nothing like both passions coming together, right?? So, BEHOLD!
I will be soon amongst a crowd of notable authors such as Alain de Botton, Roberto Calasso, Antony Beevor, Alessandro Baricco, David Mitchell, Sarah Waters, Julian Barnes and the list goes on. There is still a lot to be done at my end-packing, to do lists, planning etc. I also just finalized my plans on where I will be traveling to after Italy. Any wild guesses?? 🙂
Meanwhile, follow along here as well as my Instagram and Twitter. I promise to make it entertaining for all of you out there- the Literature as well as the Non Literature lovers 🙂
“I am all the more convinced that we, as Italians, know nothing about certain aspects of being Italian.. Now I am in Mantua on a July night, where some Mantuans have come up with the wonderful idea of a literary festival which, year after year, takes place as summer draws to an end.” -Andrea Camilleri
Until next time,
Ishita
65 Comments
10 Photos to Inspire A Visit to Mantova | Italophilia
April 11, 2018 at 9:12 pm[…] Visiting Italy for the Mantova Literature Festival […]
mikyriccia
September 26, 2016 at 12:06 pmBravissima!!! a great experience & great food too in Mantova😋😋😋😋did you know next year my birthplace – Pistoia – will be the Italy’s capital of culture ? This year is Mantova😉hope I could meet you soon as you have a friend here,me!👍👍
Ishita
September 26, 2016 at 1:07 pmGrazie cara 🙂 Indeed I would love to meet you and Pistoia is high on my list! <3 next yr surely. Will stay in touch.
mikyriccia
September 26, 2016 at 2:04 pm👍👍👍😍☕️
elliebleu
September 8, 2016 at 5:30 amItaly has so many beautiful cities and villages! I’m looking forward to following your adventures abroad.
Ishita
September 10, 2016 at 4:11 amThanks Ellie 🙂
kiki1469
September 7, 2016 at 9:39 pmlucky you! It’s a lovely city, enjoy!
Ishita
September 10, 2016 at 4:10 amThank you!
kimberlysullivan
September 6, 2016 at 11:55 amBentornata! And what an exciting event and a stellar author line-up (you’ll love Mantova, too). Will look forward to following this. Enjoy and buon viaggio!
Ishita
September 7, 2016 at 10:20 amGrazie Kimberly 🙂 I hope too. Reached safely. Buongiorno da Italia.
europewithanedge
September 5, 2016 at 6:00 pmThanks very much Ishita. The link is below and mine is the raspberry picking story. They promoted it as a writing competition and now say on ‘September 5 we will initiate a two-week competition to determine three winners … Because your selection as a winner depends on your post’s quality of content as well as social media virality, we encourage you to share your Balkanvibe article … with friends and followers and have them like, share, and comment on the story … to maximize your chances of winning the trip’ which is a bit rude IMO but what can you do. 🙂
Anyway, this is the link to the finalists’ page and thanks again:
https://www.balkanvibe.com/category/Balkanvibe-Contest
europewithanedge
September 5, 2016 at 1:10 pmCongratulations and what an interesting opportunity! I hope you enjoy it though it sounds difficult not to.
May I ask a favour – I am a finalist in a travel writing competition on the Balkanvibe website. Would you mind if I posted a link here to the finalists page where your followers could read the finalists, look at the many lovely photos and like/comment on those they enjoy? Thanks and all the best.
Ishita
September 5, 2016 at 5:02 pmThank you so much 🙂 sure do put it. Wish you all the best for it! Hope you win 🙂
An Englishwoman in Italy
September 5, 2016 at 2:42 amLooking forward to reading your impressions of all those distinguished authors. And Mantua is so appropriate because it is the birthplace of Virgil, classical Rome’s greatest poet.
Ishita
September 5, 2016 at 9:52 amThanks a lot cara. I hope you enjoy along 🙂
Stacy di Anna
September 4, 2016 at 5:59 pmIshita, congratulations! What an incredible opportunity, can’t wait to follow along. Safe travels, and thinking of you!!
Ishita
September 4, 2016 at 6:58 pmAww thanks Stacy. Im stoked by all the love. I will. Grazie.
Tanja
September 4, 2016 at 1:26 pmwow! this is great! congrats! and I expect lots of posts about Mantova and the festival!:)
Ishita
September 4, 2016 at 6:57 pmThanks Tanja. You are expecting the right thing 😉
Not4wood
September 3, 2016 at 11:05 pmOutstanding! I am impressed that someone of your caliber both like my Photo Blog and chose to follow me. We had visited Italy in 2014 and as so many of your fans here have stated. We fell in Love with both the Country and its people.
Wishing you Safe Travels and Break A Leg!
Ishita
October 10, 2016 at 4:44 pmThank you so much 🙂 I missed replying. I really appreciate your comments.
Elizabeth
September 3, 2016 at 1:54 pmCongratulations dear. Waiting for the beautiful pics and your thoughts on your unique experience.
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 3:33 pmThanks a lot Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy along
Coral Waight
September 3, 2016 at 1:36 pmHave a great time.
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 3:33 pmThanks Coral.
Vino Travels
September 3, 2016 at 6:54 amHow fantastic! Sounds like a great opportunity. Have a blast!
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 9:30 amThanks so much Jen.
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
September 3, 2016 at 6:10 amThat’s an amazing opportunity Ishita – Congratulations and I’m not surprised you’re so stoked! Hope all the prep is going well and enjoy every minute 🙂
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 9:30 amThank you Shikha. Yes indeed all the last minute packing. So sweet of you! I will 🙂
PostcardZ from Victoria
September 3, 2016 at 5:32 amBrava amica!!!! Only the beginning…
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 5:40 amAww grazie, cara. That gives me goosebumps. Thank you!
Kathy Gates
September 3, 2016 at 4:53 amWow, lucky you, sounds like heaven on a stick. Looking forward to reading all about it.
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 5:39 amThanks Kathy. Indeed for us book lovers it is.
Debra Kolkka
September 3, 2016 at 3:13 amCongratulations! Padova is wonderful you will love it.
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 5:38 amThank you Debra. Won’t be able to meet this time as it’s a short trip. Next time. And il be in Mantova 🙂
Debra Kolkka
September 4, 2016 at 2:10 amSorry, I must be going nuts. I always get Padova and Mantova mixed up, they are both fabulous.
What a pity you can’t stay a bit longer. I arrive in BdL on 17th September.
Ishita
September 4, 2016 at 9:13 amYeah unfortunately no. I travel to eastern Europe .. I think it’s high time I make the most of my European travels after Italy 🙂 who knows when I might come back.
Lyn
September 3, 2016 at 2:14 amCongratulations Clever girl. I feel so proud of you. How very exciting to be rubbing shoulders with like minded people. Have a terrific time.
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 5:37 amThank you, Lyn. Can’t imagine a more perfect thing for myself.
David Manley
September 3, 2016 at 12:41 amRichly deserved recognition!
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 12:56 amThank you David 🙂
TravelsWithRae
September 3, 2016 at 12:16 amKUDOS TO YOU ISHITA!!! How awesome and exciting!!! I can’t wait to follow along!
Ishita
September 3, 2016 at 12:20 amYay Rae. Thank You! It will be my pleasure to show you around Mantova virtually.
timelessitaly
September 2, 2016 at 11:50 pmI’m both proud and excited!! You are doing so well….I can’t wait to follow along with you!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 11:55 pmThank you so much Susan.. I’m so proud to know you. Please keep following :* yay!
timelessitaly
September 3, 2016 at 3:24 amMost definitely!!
L. M. B.
September 2, 2016 at 10:43 pmIm off to SALENTO! 😉
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 10:45 pmBravo!
L. M. B.
September 2, 2016 at 11:02 pm😉
hendersonsontheroad
September 2, 2016 at 10:27 pmComplementi!! What a great opportunity for you. Can’t wait to follow along on this adventure. Way to go!!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 10:31 pmGrazie cara!! Thank you so much 😀 😀 I’d love if you follow and enjoy. Baci!
Darlene
September 2, 2016 at 10:17 pmHave a wonderful time. I am green with envy!!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 10:21 pm😀 😀 I take that as a BIG compliment. Grazie
voguishlychic
September 2, 2016 at 10:00 pmWow Ishita !!! Congratulations and the best wishes as you get ready to embark upon a new role. It was beautiful to see your bond with Italy grow and cultivate over a period of time. Get ready to unleash the spark all over again. #morepowertoitalophilia 😘😘😘
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 10:00 pmAww, thanks babe. Thanks a lot. it means so much. More power to you too girl!! Wish you lot of success. Hugs!
Valorie Grace Hallinan
September 2, 2016 at 9:56 pmItaly, books, literature and authors….what more could you ask for? I’m so jealous. Looking forward to your posts.
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 9:57 pmThanks Valorie 🙂 haha, as is every book lover. Maybe you could put it on your wishlist. Grazie cara 🙂
anupriyabasu123
September 2, 2016 at 9:49 pmSo happy for you Ish! Read, explore and be awesome!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 9:49 pmThanks so much, girl. I hope you are well and traveling and exploring as always. 🙂
MyBookJacket
September 2, 2016 at 9:42 pmOh wow. Sarah waters and David Mitchell and of my god so much bookish and cultural goodness. You so deserve this and I can’t wait to see what you post. So proud of you Ishita!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 9:44 pmThank you so much, Chitra!! I am elated and honored. You will love the updates totally for this one. Thanks very much again. Keep following!
sherylmcdougald
September 2, 2016 at 9:35 pmI am excited to follow you around..!! Sarah Waters, and more – – How Fun!!!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 9:37 pmYay thanks Sheryl 🙂 I am excited for it too.
margieinitaly
September 2, 2016 at 9:28 pmCongratulations Ishita! What an opportunity of a lifetime! I am so happy for you to be able to blend your passion for Italy and your love of books in this endeavor!! I will eagerly be following your posts!
Ishita
September 2, 2016 at 9:30 pmI am so pleased that I have wonderful bloggers like yourself, supporting me. Many thanks Margie. I am very happy too!! <3