Elogio alla disobbedienza with Serena Ballista at Biblioteca Borghesiana, November 5, 2026

On Thursday, November 5, 2026, Biblioteca Borghesiana, in Largo Monreale in Rome's Municipio VI, hosts "Elogio alla disobbedienza" ("In praise of disobedience"), a talk with the author Serena Ballista on feminist picture books. Admission is free and no booking is needed. The talk is aimed at an adult audience.

Updated October 26, 2026.

The official description

A reflection on the imaginative capacity of childhood to rethink the world and the power relations that shape it, through feminist picture books.

Text from the official Cultura Roma Capitale page, source

The event is part of the series "I Rifugi per Biblioteche di Roma," a project by Roma Capitale and the publisher Settenove, promoted in 2026 by the Commissione Capitolina per le Pari Opportunità. Since September 2026 the Biblioteche di Roma network has been working against gender violence with training, talks and awareness activities, and the events in the series are open to the public.

The starting point is Gianni Rodari's praise of disobedience. From there the talk offers a reflection on the capacity of childhood to imagine the world differently and on the power relations that shape it, through some of Serena Ballista's most significant picture books. The books are examined for their obvious content and reread against the light, to show how they can become tools for personal growth and for taking part in democratic life.

Serena Ballista is a picture book author, trainer, activist and president of Udi Modena. She is listed as winner of the Bologna Ragazzi Award 2025, and her works are translated in Turkey, Korea, Spain and Brazil, with a translation coming in Croatia. Some titles, published with Settenove and Orecchio Acerbo, were selected for the White Ravens 2017, among the finalists of the Premio Inge Feltrinelli 2025 and among the 100 Outstanding Picturebooks 2025.

The official page specifies that local anti-violence centers are also invited to take part.

Where it takes place: Biblioteca Borghesiana

Biblioteca Borghesiana is one of the branches of the Biblioteche di Roma system, the network of public libraries of Roma Capitale that promotes free access to knowledge, reading and culture through library services, cultural activities and social inclusion initiatives. It's in Borghesiana, in the eastern part of the city, in Municipio VI.

The address is Largo Monreale, no street number. For directions, use the ATAC route planner. In the same network, fall 2026 also brings other activities, such as the storytelling session at Biblioteca Laurentina and the talk Resistenza sostantivo femminile at Biblioteca Cornelia.

Practical information

• Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
• Venue: Biblioteca Borghesiana, Largo Monreale, Rome (Municipio VI)
• Admission: free, no booking
• Audience: adults
• Speaker: Serena Ballista
• Information: Biblioteche di Roma website, on the project page
• Getting there: check the ATAC route planner

FAQ about Elogio alla disobbedienza

Do you need to book to attend "Elogio alla disobbedienza"?

No. The official page states free admission with no booking for the events in the series.

Who is the talk for?

Adults: the events in the series are designed for an adult audience and are open to the public.

Who is Serena Ballista?

She's an author of children's picture books, a trainer, an activist and president of Udi Modena, winner of the Bologna Ragazzi Award 2025.

What is "I Rifugi per Biblioteche di Roma"?

A project by Roma Capitale and the publisher Settenove, promoted in 2026 by the Commissione Capitolina per le Pari Opportunità, through which the city's libraries address the issue of gender violence.

What other events are in the series?

On November 12 at Biblioteca Collina della Pace, with the presentation of the "Bibi" project and a bibliographic exhibition, and on November 26 at Biblioteca Renato Nicolini with a talk and a reading flash mob.

Article written by the editorial team of Tour Leader Pro, contact them for Private/Corporate/V.I.P. Tours and Experiences.

Planning a trip to Rome? The English-language guides for visiting the city are on ItalyPlanner.com.