The Sassari of the early 20th century, with its inequalities, neighbourhoods and the stories of the people who lived there, takes centre stage again this evening at the City&City Festival.
On Sunday 6 September at 7:30 p.m., in the evocative Cloister of Santa Maria di Betlem, Marco Atzeni will present his second novel, Nina e Tonino, published in 2026 by Il Maestrale.
The Sassari-born author will be in conversation with Elias Vacca at one of the final events of the festival’s summer programme. Admission is free, subject to availability.
“Nina e Tonino”, a journey through early-20th-century Sassari
At the heart of the novel is a deeply divided city.
On one side are grand palazzi and privilege, while on the other are poorer homes and a daily life marked by precariousness. It is in this setting that Nina, a young maidservant forced to face difficult family and social circumstances, lives alongside her brother Tonino.
The story intertwines historical reconstruction and narrative invention, using early-20th-century Sassari not merely as a setting, but as a central element of the story.
Over the years, Atzeni has built his work through research in archives, period newspapers and accounts of the city, transforming episodes and atmospheres from the past into narrative material.
Those wishing to learn more about some of the figures who have shaped the city’s history can also consult our guide to historical figures of Sassari.
An evening of literature and Sardinian culture
The City&City Festival day will already begin at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation of Nero Mediterraneo by Antonio Boggio, who will be in conversation with Rosa Lella.
At 7:30 p.m., it will then be Marco Atzeni’s turn. The official programme also includes a performance by the Coro di Ossi, bringing literature into an evening also devoted to the area’s musical tradition.
The City&City Festival, running since 1 September, has transformed the Cloister of Santa Maria di Betlem for a week into a space dedicated to books, music, photography and cultural debate.
The festival closes with a debate on Sassari’s future
The summer programme will end on Monday 7 September with “Ricomincio da me”, an event devoted to the present and future of Sassari and its surrounding area.
Before looking towards the city of tomorrow, however, City&City devotes one of its final events to the Sassari of the past, told through the lives and vulnerabilities of the protagonists of Nina e Tonino.