by InTrieste
In 2025, the coastal town of Muggia will host the Muggia Beethovenfest, a four-day international festival celebrating the music of Ludwig van Beethoven in a multidisciplinary, community-focused format.
The event, scheduled for late May, is the result of a collaboration between the Biblioteca Beethoveniana, the Municipality of Muggia, the Società dei Concerti di Trieste, the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, the local rural development group GAL Carso, and the Associazione de Banfield.
Over the course of four days, the festival will offer 20 events including concerts, guided art visits, tastings, and social workshops—aiming to bring together music, the visual arts, and social inclusion.
At the heart of the festival is the Biblioteca Beethoveniana’s remarkable collection of more than 11,500 Beethoven-related items. The festival hopes to spotlight this cultural treasure while encouraging cultural tourism, off-season travel, and appreciation of the region’s heritage.
With the participation of international musicians and guests, Muggia Beethovenfest is positioning the small town just south of Trieste as a cultural hub along Italy’s northeastern border. The program blends classical music with convivial gatherings in an effort to create what organizers describe as “a virtuous circle between the arts, local economy, and community well-being.”
Opening Day: A Dialogue Between Past and Present
The festival opens on Thursday, May 29, with a visit and concert at the Casa Museo Biblioteca Beethoveniana at 5 p.m., featuring cellist Alessandro Pietro Dore and pianist Mattia Fusi. The duo will perform Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2—a late work that reflects the composer’s evolving style.
That evening, at 8:30 p.m., the Teatro Comunale “Giuseppe Verdi” will host pianist Giulia Toniolo. Her recital includes two sonatas by Muzio Clementi—Beethoven’s contemporary and sometimes rival—and Beethoven’s own Sonata No. 4 in E-flat major, Op. 7.
Community Programming and Accessibility
On Friday morning, May 30, the festival turns its focus to community engagement. At 10 a.m., the Biblioteca Comunale “Edoardo Guglia” will host an intergenerational workshop for seniors and families, led by the Associazione de Banfield and the music organization Aulòs, with facilitator Chiara Maria Bieker.
Further events throughout the weekend include open-air performances, artist talks, and thematic experiences that seek to make classical music more accessible to a broader audience.
By combining high-level musical interpretation with inclusive programming and a celebration of place, the Muggia Beethovenfest aims to offer more than just concerts—it seeks to foster dialogue, belonging, and cultural continuity through the enduring legacy of Beethoven.
