Emily Literary Prize

A literary prize dedicated to the fight against violence

The Emily Literary Prize is a fiction competition born in Vasto, in the province of Chieti, with a clear objective: to use writing as a tool for raising awareness against violence in all its forms. The theme that accompanies every edition, "The Thousand Faces of Violence," invites authors to share stories that give voice to painful experiences and paths toward awareness and rebirth.

The prize is promoted by the Emily Abruzzo Association, which has been active in the region since 2007 with anti-violence centers, and is supported by the Municipality of Vasto and the National Union of Victims (UNaVi). The event has quickly established itself as one of the most significant cultural highlights of the Vasto summer.

The ceremony at the Neapolitan Gardens of Palazzo d'Avalos

The heart of the prize is the final awards ceremony, held every year in early September in the evocative Neapolitan Gardens of Palazzo d'Avalos, the ancient noble residence that overlooks Vasto's historic center and the gulf. In this historic setting, the winners of the competition's various sections are announced amidst readings, musical interludes, testimonies, and the presence of guests from the worlds of literature, journalism, and entertainment.

Sections and participation

The competition is divided into several sections, including one dedicated to fiction (published novels on the theme of violence) and one aimed at local students and schools, which participate in large numbers every year with original stories and works. Participation is free, and each edition is dedicated to the memory of a victim of violence to reinforce the prize's civic message.

A staple of Abruzzo's cultural scene

With its formula that intertwines literature and social commitment, the Emily Literary Prize has become a reference point for the public in Vasto and across Abruzzo. The final evening at the Palazzo d'Avalos Gardens brings together writers, victims' families, institutional representatives, and citizens in an event that combines the beauty of the location with the power of a message against all forms of violence.