"Città di Ceglie Messapica" National Literary Award

A national award in the heart of the White City

The "Città di Ceglie Messapica" National Literary Award was created to bring the best of contemporary Italian fiction to the historic center of Ceglie Messapica, one of the most characteristic villages in the Itria Valley, in the province of Brindisi, in the heart of Puglia. Promoted by the municipal administration, the award has become a consolidated event on the Italian cultural scene, capable of attracting authors, publishers, and readers around a theme that serves as a common thread for the competing works each year.

How the award works

The selection process takes place in several stages. A Scientific Committee evaluates the numerous national entries submitted by publishing houses and identifies ten finalist works. The list is then narrowed down to a shortlist of five, leading to the announcement of the winner, who receives a cash prize. A distinctive feature of the award is the Student Jury, composed of students from the "Francesco Ribezzo" Scientific High School in Francavilla Fontana, which works alongside the technical jury and introduces younger generations to reading and cultural debate.

The awards ceremony

The highlight is the concluding awards evening, which takes place outdoors in the summer, amidst the streets and squares of the historic center of Ceglie Messapica. The ceremony weaves together meetings with authors, readings, and reflections on the edition's theme, in a scenic setting of arches, courtyards, and stone architecture typical of the White City. Admission is open to the public, transforming the Puglian village into an open-air literary salon for the evening.

A different theme every year

Each edition is built around a theme that guides the selection of works and the dialogue with writers. Following the edition dedicated to Love, the award has chosen the theme of Mystery for 2026, an invitation to authors to explore stories crossed by enigma, restlessness, symbols, and ambiguity. It is this ability to renew itself, combined with its roots in the Municipality of Ceglie Messapica, that makes the award a bridge between the national publishing scene and the vibrant cultural life of the province of Brindisi.

Ceglie Messapica and the Itria Valley

Hosting a national literary award in a small town in the Puglian hinterland is no coincidence: Ceglie Messapica, with its Messapian history and its historic center of white alleys, has long been a destination for cultural and food-and-wine tourism. The award thus fits into a summer calendar that enhances local heritage and offers residents and visitors an opportunity to meet the great names of Italian literature.