Davide D'Amario National Literary Prize

A literary prize born from memory

The Davide D'Amario National Literary Prize is a writing competition promoted by the Municipality of Bellante, in the province of Teramo, in the heart of Abruzzo. It was established in 2024 to honor the life of Davide D'Amario, born in Bellante in 1977 and prematurely deceased in June 2024. A passionate scholar of contemporary history and 20th-century political doctrines, and the author of numerous articles and essays, he is remembered as "a kind, humble, rebellious, and warrior soul": it is to this free spirit that the prize dedicates every edition.

A national competition for debut authors

The prize is national in scope and aimed at debut writers of any age, with the goal of promoting the art of writing and bringing new voices in Italian literature to the fore. The competition is divided into three sections:

• Unpublished Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Poetry

The entries are evaluated by a technical jury composed of scholars, critics, and publishers. The first-place winner is offered the opportunity to publish their work with the Solfanelli publishing house, while all participants receive a certificate of participation.

The awards ceremony

The highlight of the prize is the awards ceremony, held every June in Bellante. During the ceremony, jury members are introduced, the theme of the edition is explained, and the winners are announced. Each edition revolves around a theme that reflects the values of freedom and critical thinking dear to Davide D'Amario.

An event for the village of Bellante

Beyond the awards, the initiative includes cultural and community moments that bring the Teramo village to life, featuring presentations by local artists and associations, meetings, and performances. The prize thus represents not only a national literary recognition but also an opportunity for the entire community of Bellante and the Abruzzo region to find a sense of shared identity through culture and memory.

How to participate

Participation in the competition is open to unpublished authors who submit their works by the deadlines set in the annual call for entries, published on the official prize website. The awards ceremony is a public, free event open to all literature enthusiasts.