Festa a mare agli scogli di Sant'Anna

Set against the timeless backdrop of Cartaromana Bay, at the foot of the Aragonese Castle, Ischia's most cherished and eagerly awaited celebration will once again come to life. The Festa a Mare agli Scogli di Sant'Anna is a unique blend of art, history, faith, and community, a tradition that has been at the heart of island life for generations. During the press conference, the highlights and innovations of the 2026 edition will be officially unveiled. While embracing new ideas, the festival continues to preserve the enduring magic of its ancient origins, serving as a bridge between the past and the present, between the Scogli di Sant'Anna and the hearts of everyone who calls Ischia home.

The 2026 edition will be united by an imaginary thread connecting the sea with the island's history, faith, and origins. This year's celebration seeks to place the collective memory of the island community back at its centre through stories, personal testimonies, and extensive historical research focusing on the ancient devotion to Saint Anne, patron saint of expectant mothers, who has been venerated for centuries in the small chapel nestled among the rocks of the islet on 26 July.

In a spirit of constructive institutional cooperation, preparations continue alongside the Municipal Administration, with the shared goal of promoting the festival as an expression of local identity, community spirit, and the cultural heritage of Ischia.

The four island associations participating in the 2026 edition will play a leading role, each presenting its own traditions, craftsmanship, artistic creativity, music, and unique interpretation of the island's enduring relationship with the sea.

The presentation will also reveal details of the accompanying programme and the exciting innovations planned for the highly anticipated evening of 26 July, when the celebration begins with the spectacular parade of decorated boats, followed by one of the major new features of this year's edition, promising an unforgettable night full of surprises.

Following the press conference, the presentation will continue at Liceo Giorgio Buchner, where at 12:30 PM students from the school's Art Department will present their creative designs for the project "On Stage by the Sea." The initiative continues the educational programme "Learn the Art and Put It into Boats" (Impara l'arte e mettila in barche), developed as part of the Scuola Viva project. Over the past two years, the programme has involved ten schools from Ischia, Bacoli, and Procida, encouraging students to explore the history and traditions of the Festa a Mare agli Scogli di Sant'Anna while actively contributing to the event's development.

This special moment is dedicated to young people and their creativity, giving new generations the opportunity to express their vision of the festival through art and imagination. The organisers look forward to the upcoming edition with confidence, convinced that only through dialogue, collaboration, and a shared vision can the Festa continue to inspire, bring people together, and pass on its authentic meaning to future generations.

The goal remains unchanged: to honour Saint Anne while telling the story of Ischia through its sea, its people, and its rich history.