Thanks to a last-minute reprieve by the administration of newly-elected mayor Ignazio Marino, the Fontanone Estate festival returns to Rome and celebrates its 18th anniversary. However due to an initial ban — subsequently lifted — and its greatly reduced funding from the previous city administration, organisers will likely breathe a sigh of relief that the festival has survived against all the odds. The programme focuses on 24 literary, musical and theatrical performances, all of which start at 21.00. As ever the beautiful Fontana Acqua di Paola, or Fontanone, on the Janiculum Hill acts as a backdrop to the popular open-air festival whose location offers magnificent views of Rome. Festival events take place in the Parco della Rimembranza adjacent to the monumental fountain, and in the case of rain performances will be hosted at Teatro Belli down the hill in the heart of Trastevere. For more details tel. 065883226, www.fontanonestate.it.