Anfiteatro d'Argento International Culture & Entrepreneurship Award

An award that tells the story of the Alto Clanio

The Anfiteatro d'Argento International Culture & Entrepreneurship Award is the annual spring gathering that brings together administrators, entrepreneurs, artists, schools, and associations from the Alto Clanio district in the Municipality of Baiano, Avellino province, Campania Region. The venue remains constant: the Teatro Colosseo on Piazza Francesco Napolitano, a historic local theater that fills to capacity for the occasion.

The name is no coincidence. The plaque presented to the winners evokes the Roman amphitheater of Avella, the most iconic monument of this corner of Irpinia overlooking the Agro Nolano, bridging contemporary recognition with the region's deep historical roots.

From its 1991 origins to its recent revival

The event's roots lie in the Abella Festival of Avella, an arts and music showcase held between 1989 and 1990. From that experience, the first Anfiteatro d'Argento was born in 1991, organized by the cultural association ADICUM with the support of the Pro Loco Abella. Over the years, the award has hosted prominent figures from the world of culture.

The award's new chapter is more recent: the alliance between the La Piccola Cometa association, led by Saverio Bellofatto, and PMI International expanded the categories to include the productive sector, pairing entrepreneurship with culture. Since then, the award has grown into a regional showcase; the 2026 edition marked its 14th iteration.

Three days, not just a ceremony

What sets the Anfiteatro d'Argento apart from a simple awards show is its surrounding program. A small, widespread festival has been built around the awards evening, occupying the theater for three days with a deliberately intergenerational approach:

• Exhibitions and applied arts — painting displays and papier-mâché crafts created by the Consorzio di Nola;
• Book and Comic Festival — a book market, meetings between students and local authors, and dedicated space for fiction and poetry;
• Innovation and education — a presentation of a humanoid reception robot developed by technical institutes in Campania, with students acting as presenters;
• Memory — a morning of multi-voice readings on the themes of the Holocaust and January 27th, accompanied by musical interludes;
• Concert for Peace — the closing event featuring live music and poetic narratives.

Award categories

Each edition presents around twenty awards across diverse fields: entrepreneurial excellence in Campania (from automotive to agri-food), artistic and musical excellence, educational excellence, and excellence in association and regional promotion. The event also includes in memoriam honorary mentions dedicated to local figures in labor, technology, and the Resistance. The award also highlights sports, craftsmanship, and social commitment, with a constant focus on companies that have innovated while remaining rooted in the territory.

The artist-designed plaque

The physical award is a work of art, not a mass-produced trophy. In recent years, it has been crafted by artist Cettina Prezioso, featuring papier-mâché bas-reliefs made from recycled materials and transformed into true jewels. This choice aligns with the event's spirit, which values local artisanal crafts and the circular economy.

Organizers and supporters

The event is managed by a group of local associations — Pro Loco Abella, La Piccola Cometa, Le Ali della Vita, Associazione MELA — alongside the small and medium enterprise association PMI International. The award committee is led by Professor Pietro Luciano, and the evenings are hosted by writer Francesca Grassi. The event is sponsored by the Campania Region, the Province of Avellino, the Partenio Regional Park, and the Municipalities of Baiano, Avella, and Quadrelle.

Why it is worth visiting

For visitors, the Anfiteatro d'Argento is an excellent gateway to an area of Campania off the beaten path: the Clanio Valley, the Partenio Park, and the Roman amphitheater of Avella. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a rare, authentic community gathering in a local theater. Participants can easily combine the evening with a walk through the archaeological sites of Avella and enjoy the local Irpinian cuisine.