City of San Salvo Literary Prize

A literary prize that brings the San Salvo summer to life

The City of San Salvo Literary Prize has become one of the most anticipated cultural events of the Abruzzo summer. Established in 2013, the competition has carved out a significant place in the national literary scene, bringing authors, publishers, and fiction enthusiasts to this coastal town in the Vasto area every year. The event is promoted by the Municipality of San Salvo, in the province of Chieti, together with the BCC Valle del Trigno ETS Foundation, and is part of the rich calendar of summer events that enliven the city overlooking the Adriatic.

Two sections, one shared passion for books

The prize is divided into two distinct sections. Section I is reserved for debut novels in Italian fiction, first works published by emerging authors within the period specified by the call for entries: a precious showcase for new voices in Italian literature. Section II, named in memory of Raffaele Artese, is dedicated to children's literature and actively involves local schools, with student juries called upon to read and vote for the competing works.

Technical juries, popular juries, and student protagonists

One of the distinctive features of the prize is the participation of multiple juries: alongside the technical jury, composed of experts and industry professionals, a popular jury awards its own recognition, and in the children's section, it is the students who express the verdict. This blend of different perspectives makes the City of San Salvo Prize a participatory experience, capable of bringing even the youngest readers closer to books.

The final evenings in Piazza San Vitale

The heart of the event is the final evenings, held outdoors in Piazza San Vitale, in the center of San Salvo. The announcement of the winners is accompanied by entertainment, music, and guests from the world of culture and show business: past editions have featured, among others, singer-songwriter Massimo Bubola and actress Rocío Muñoz Morales. Admission to the evenings is free.

A prize rooted in the Abruzzo region

More than just a competition, the City of San Salvo Prize has become a cultural hub for the entire Vasto and lower Abruzzo area, strengthening the bond between literature, community, and the territory. Every summer, the event attracts a large audience to San Salvo, combining the promotion of reading with the pleasure of summer evenings on the Adriatic coast.