Festival of Narration - Chiara Prize
Varese's festival of narration dedicated to Piero Chiara
About Chiara Prize
Narration at the Centre
The Chiara Prize is Varese's most important literary event, dedicated to short narration 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 prize has grown to become a true Festival of Narration, with a calendar of events spread throughout the year.
Competitions and Prizes
The heart of the event is the main prize, reserved for authors and publishers who have published short story collections in Italy or Italian Switzerland. Alongside it, specific sections have been developed: the Chiara Youth Prize, for young people aged 15 to 20, and the Chiara Prize 12-14, dedicated to younger children, as well as the award for unpublished works.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 Chiara Prize 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 in recent editions, there is also a new permanent venue and an opening to contemporary languages such as narrative podcasts and short films.
Chiara Prize — edition 2026
The 38th edition of the Chiara Prize unfolds 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 final three contenders 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 Napoleon Hall of Ville Ponti in Varese. Among the edition's new features are the Narrative Podcast Prize, a writing section for under-14s, and short films.
Programme Chiara Prize 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the final three contenders for the Chiara Prize, the finalists for the Chiara Youth Prize, and the winner of the Chiara Unpublished Prize
Sunday, October 18th, 2026 — Ville Ponti, 5 PM
- Final ceremony of the 38th edition in the Napoleon Hall (Piazza Litta 2, Varese)
- Award ceremony for the Chiara Youth Prize 2026
New features for this edition: Narrative Podcast Prize, writing section for under-14s, and short films.
Highlights Chiara Prize 2026
Prices Chiara Prize 2026
Practical information — Chiara Prize
Where
Events are held in various locations in the Varese area. The final ceremony takes place in the Napoleon Hall of Ville Ponti in Varese (Piazza Litta 2).
How to Get Here
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 municipalities.
Admission
Many festival events are free to enter. For the full calendar and participation details, consult the official website premiochiara.it.
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Where does it take place — Chiara Prize
Ville Ponti e sedi varie
Ville Ponti, Piazza Litta 2, 21100 Varese