From August 8 to 15, 2026, the traditional Festival of the Smile returns to Monteortone, one of the most anticipated events of the summer and a valuable opportunity to come together, share moments of celebration, and rediscover the history of the community.
The program will be enriched with various initiatives. Throughout the duration of the event, the “100 Faces” project will be present in the Fireplace Room of the Pilgrim's House. Not just a simple exhibition, but a lively and participatory space where one can observe historical photographs, recognize faces, friends, grandparents, and neighbors, and contribute to reconstructing the community's memory together. It will also be possible to deliver new photographs for scanning or retrieve those already archived.
Meetings with authors will also return, both scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in front of the Pilgrim’s House. On Monday, August 10, Father Pier Luigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions, will present the book I Choose Not to Hate. On Tuesday, August 11, it will be the turn of Don Marco Pozza, chaplain of the Due Palazzi prison in Padua, with the book Honey and Onions.
On Saturday, August 8, there will be a show by The Blue Joints - Rock history band.
During all the evenings of the Festival, from August 8 to 15, the Sanctuary of Monteortone will remain open from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with the presence of volunteers from Hospitality available to accompany visitors.
The Festival of the Smile will therefore be much more than a party: it will be a moment of encounter, memory, spirituality, and participation, capable of uniting different generations in the spirit of community.
