The contribution of literary festivals to mental health and cultural development: A case study of Italy and Spain

This article explores the role of literary festivals as multidimensional institutions that combine culture, tourism, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being. Through a comparative analysis of Italy and Spain, two different development strategies emerge: the Italian experience focuses on preserving cultural heritage, local networking, and community collaboration, while the Spanish experience emphasizes internationalization, innovation, and extroversion. Examples such as Festivaletteratura, the Letterature Festival, La Milanesiana, the Hay Festival Segovia, the Festival Eñe, and Barcelona Poesia demonstrate that festivals transcend the narrow boundaries of literature, creating platforms for dialogue with the arts, science, technology, and fashion. Overall, the study demonstrates the role of literary festivals as catalysts for cultural entrepreneurship, social cohesion, and mental health, highlighting their contribution to the creative development of Europe.