Airasca National Poetry & Fiction Literary Prize

A literary prize rooted in the Piedmontese territory

The Airasca National Poetry & Fiction Literary Prize is one of the most cherished cultural events in the Municipality of Airasca, a small town in the plains south of Turin, Piedmont. Promoted by the Department of Culture and managed by the Lilia and Telesio Montesello Municipal Library, the competition promotes creative writing by welcoming works from all over Italy, confirming the national scope of the prize.

A history dating back to 2006

The first edition of the prize dates back to 2006 and immediately attracted hundreds of poetic compositions. Over the years, the event has expanded: fiction was added alongside poetry, sections reserved for students were introduced, and a category dedicated to already published poetry books was created. A special mention is dedicated to the memory of Professor Ezio Michelis, long-time president of the local cultural circle, testifying to the deep bond between the prize and the Airasca community.

Competition sections

The regulations include several sections designed to involve readers and authors of all ages:

• Themed poetry section for adults, with a theme set for each edition;
• Fiction section for short stories with an open theme;
• Sections reserved for students of lower and upper secondary schools;
• Published poetry books section, for collections already in print.

Participation is free and open to everyone, a requirement that makes the prize a precious opportunity, especially for debut authors.

The awards ceremony

The heart of the event is the awards ceremony, held at the Giovanna Brussino Multifunctional Center, at Via Stazione 31 in Airasca. During the day, the winners of the various sections are announced, featuring readings of the winning texts and opportunities for authors, jurors, and the public to meet. All participating poets and writers, whether awarded or not, are invited to take part in this celebration of the written word.

Airasca and culture

Included in the cultural calendar of the Municipality of Airasca and the Province of Turin, the prize represents a point of reference for those who love poetry and fiction in Piedmont. The event, supported by the municipal library, helps keep alive a literary tradition that has united the territory around the value of writing for nearly twenty years.