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Ravenna's Perpetual Dante Reading at His Tomb Draws Global Participants

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-20

On September 13, 2020, a daily public recitation of Dante's Divine Comedy commenced at his tomb in Ravenna, Italy, under the title 'L’ora che volge il disìo,' commemorating the 700th anniversary of his passing. The initiative was launched by Mayor Michele De Pascale, who read the first canto of Inferno. Daily readings take place at 6 PM from April to May and at 5 PM from November to March, with the exception of December 25. Over 700 individuals have participated, delivering readings in more than 30 languages. The Municipality of Ravenna and Fondazione Ravennantica sponsor the event. Dante passed away in Ravenna between September 13 and 14, 1321, and his remains have been relocated several times, including during World War II. His tomb bears a Latin inscription by Bernardo Canaccio.

Key facts

  • Daily public reading of Dante's Divine Comedy at his tomb in Ravenna
  • Began September 13, 2020, for the 700th anniversary of Dante's death
  • Over 700 participants have read in more than 30 languages
  • Readings at 6 PM (Apr-May) and 5 PM (Nov-Mar), streamed live online
  • Promoted by Municipality of Ravenna and Fondazione Ravennantica
  • Dante died in Ravenna September 13-14, 1321, after contracting malaria
  • Tomb designed by architect Camillo Morigia in 1782
  • Remains hidden in a steel box during WWII from 1944 to 1945

Entities

Artists

  • Dante Alighieri
  • Pietro Lombardo
  • Bernardo Canaccio
  • Camillo Morigia
  • Guido Novello da Polenta
  • Bernardo Bembo
  • Luigi Valenti Gonzaga
  • Cangrande della Scala
  • Livia Montagnoli

Institutions

  • Comune di Ravenna
  • Fondazione Ravennantica
  • Scrittura Festival
  • Ravenna Teatro
  • Repubblica di Venezia
  • Museo Dante
  • Centro Dantesco
  • Biblioteca Classense
  • Casa Dante
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Ravenna
  • Italy
  • Florence
  • Venice
  • Verona

Sources