Gattopardo Festival – Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa International Literary Prize

The Gattopardo Festival in Santa Margherita di Belice

Every summer, the town of Santa Margherita di Belice, in the province of Agrigento, hosts the Gattopardo Festival, an event dedicated to the life and legacy of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (1896-1957), author of the iconic novel The Leopard. The festival centers around the Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa International Literary Prize, a prestigious award granted to narrative works that explore themes of peace and coexistence among peoples.

A profound connection to the novel's setting

It is no coincidence that the festival takes place here: Santa Margherita di Belice is home to the Palazzo Filangeri di Cutò, the summer residence of the writer's maternal family, which served as the inspiration for the Donnafugata palace in The Leopard. The evenings are held in Piazza Matteotti, directly in front of the palace, in a setting that seamlessly blends literary memory with the identity of the Belice region.

History and prestige of the award

Established in 2003 and held annually, the prize has established itself as one of Sicily's most significant cultural appointments. Its roll of honor includes world-renowned names, such as Nobel laureates Kazuo Ishiguro, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Orhan Pamuk, as well as authors like Amos Oz and Pierre Michon. The jury, long chaired by Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, the writer's adopted son, is currently led by critic Salvatore Silvano Nigro.

Three evenings of culture and entertainment

The festival traditionally spans several evenings: the L'Officina del Racconto Prize, dedicated to young storytellers from the Belice Valley; the gala evening featuring the award ceremony and guests from the worlds of cinema, theater, and music; and a final gastronomic evening, The Gattopardo Kitchen, which reinterprets the traditional Sicilian flavors evoked in the novel.

A major regional event

The Tomasi di Lampedusa Prize has been included among the Major Tourist Events of the Sicilian Region for the 2026-2027 biennium, a recognition that confirms its cultural and tourism value. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Santa Margherita di Belice, with the scientific collaboration of the institution dedicated to the writer, and is part of the broader Summer in Santa Margherita program.