Certamen Ovidianum Sulmonense

The Certamen Ovidianum: A Latinist's Challenge in Ovid's Homeland

There is a reason why, every April, dozens of students from across Italy and half of Europe converge on Sulmona, in the province of L'Aquila. It was here, in 43 BC, that Publius Ovidius Naso, one of the greatest poets of the Latin world, was born. The Certamen Ovidianum Sulmonense is an international Latin competition that celebrates this legacy in the most noble and demanding way possible: by putting young minds to the test with Ovid's own texts.

Organized by the Liceo Classico Ovidio in Sulmona in collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Italian Association of Classical Culture, the Certamen is reserved for students in their final two years of high school where Latin is part of the curriculum. The competition consists of translating a passage by Ovid—either in prose or verse—accompanied by a personal commentary that highlights the most significant linguistic, historical, literary, and stylistic aspects. It is an exercise in intelligence and sensitivity, not just grammar.

A High-Profile Challenge for an International Audience

The five-hour exam is based on texts from the Amores, Ars Amatoria, Remedia Amoris, and other works by the Sulmona-born poet. Each year, the contestants are joined by international delegations; in recent years, Sulmona has welcomed students from Austria, Germany, Romania, and Serbia, confirming that Latin remains a living, shared language far beyond Italy's borders. The top finishers receive cash prizes (1,000 euros for the winner, followed by 750 and 500 euros) and certificates of merit, with special recognition awarded for the best translation by a foreign student.

A Cultural Event for the Entire City

The Certamen is not just a competition for experts; the awards ceremony, which is open to the public, is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the Sulmona spring. Held in a packed local cinema or theater, the ceremony is accompanied by the Lectura Ovidii, a dramatic reading of Ovidian passages performed by professional actors, bringing the beauty of the verses from the Metamorphoses and other masterpieces to life. It is a way to bring Ovid back to his people, in the Peligna Valley and throughout the Abruzzo region.

Established in the early 2000s, the Certamen Ovidianum Sulmonense has become one of the most prestigious classical competitions in Italy and aspires, along with other traditional contests, to be recognized as intangible heritage. For Sulmona, it is both a source of pride and a bridge between ancient memory and today's youth.