Festival del Racconto - Premio Chiara
The Varese story festival dedicated to Piero Chiara
About Premio Chiara
The story at the center
The Premio Chiara is Varese's most important literary event, dedicated to short stories and named after the writer Piero Chiara, a symbolic figure of literature linked to the Larian and Varese region. Founded in the late eighties, the award has grown to become a true Festival del Racconto, with a calendar of events spread throughout the year.
Competitions and awards
The heart of the event is the main prize, reserved for authors and publishers who have released short story collections in Italy or Italian-speaking Switzerland. Alongside it, specific sections have been developed: the Premio Chiara Giovani, for young people aged 15 to 20, and the Premio Chiara 12-14, dedicated to younger children, as well as an award for unpublished works. A structure that also makes the festival an opportunity to promote writing among new generations.
A festival for the territory
The Premio Chiara is not just ceremonies and competitions: the program includes numerous free events ranging from fiction to non-fiction, from sports to music, involving the city of Varese and its province. Among the innovations of recent editions, there is also a new permanent venue and an opening to contemporary languages such as narrative podcasts and short films.
Premio Chiara — edition 2026
The 38th edition of the Premio Chiara is spread throughout 2026, from February to October. It is a special edition, marked by the fortieth anniversary of Piero Chiara's death (1986-2026). The program includes free events dedicated to fiction, non-fiction, sports, and music, also hosted at the new venue in the former Garibaldi Barracks.
The announcement of the finalist trio is scheduled for June 20th at Villa Panza, while the final ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2026, at 5 PM in the Sala Napoleonica of Ville Ponti in Varese. Among the new features of the edition are the Narrative Podcast Award, a writing section for under-14s, and short films.
Programme Premio Chiara 2026
February to May 2026
- Calendar of free events dedicated to fiction, non-fiction, sports, and music, also at the new venue of the former Garibaldi Barracks.
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 — Villa Panza
- Announcement of the Premio Chiara finalist trio, the finalists of Premio Chiara Giovani, and the winner of Premio Chiara Inediti.
Sunday, October 18th, 2026 — Ville Ponti, 5 PM
- Final ceremony of the 38th edition in the Sala Napoleonica (Piazza Litta 2, Varese).
- Award ceremony for Premio Chiara Giovani 2026.
New for this edition: Narrative Podcast Award, writing section for under-14s, and short films.
Highlights Premio Chiara 2026
Prices Premio Chiara 2026
Practical information — Premio Chiara
Where
Events are held in various locations in the Varese area. The final ceremony takes place in the Sala Napoleonica of Ville Ponti in Varese (Piazza Litta 2).
How to get there
Varese is reachable by train from Milan (Trenord) and by car from the A8 motorway. The festival venues are in the city center and in the surrounding towns.
Admission
Many festival events are free admission. For the full calendar and participation details, consult the official website premiochiara.it.
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Where does it take place — Premio Chiara
Ville Ponti e sedi varie
Ville Ponti, Piazza Litta 2, 21100 Varese