"Genius Loci" and "PulciNellaMente" Awards
The Atellana Studies Institute honors those who preserve Neapolitan identity in Sant'Arpino
About Genius Loci Award
A tribute to the soul of a place
The "Genius Loci" and "PulciNellaMente" awards are two cultural honors presented annually in Sant'Arpino, in the province of Caserta, to figures from the worlds of art and entertainment who distinguish themselves in promoting and spreading Neapolitan culture, traditions, and identity in Italy and abroad. They are promoted by the Atellana Studies Institute and the "PulciNellaMente" National School Theatre Festival, which reached its 26th edition in 2026.
In classical culture and contemporary thought, the genius loci is the deep soul of a place: its memory, its identity, and its ability to generate meaning through stories, words, and human relationships. This is precisely the spirit the jury seeks in its awardees—artists capable of telling the story of Naples without resorting to stereotypes.
Atellana roots: where comedy was born
The ceremony takes place within the spaces of Fabula, the former Town Hall of Atella di Napoli, located at Via Martiri Atellani 210: a highly symbolic site, as it is here that the thousand-year history of the Fabulae Atellanae—the farces of ancient Atella that influenced Neapolitan comic theatre and the mask of Pulcinella—has its roots. The very name of the festival, "PulciNellaMente," plays on this legacy and restores it to today's youth.
The festival that brings Italy's schools to Campania
The awards are the most visible moment of a much broader event. The National School Theatre Festival features over fifty events: theatrical performances, short films, happenings and experimental works, exhibitions and workshops, conferences, and seminars. Approximately thirty schools of all levels from various Italian regions compete, with organizers estimating a total audience of around ten thousand, including student-actors, teachers, educators, professionals, and spectators.
- Theatre Section — primary, middle, and high schools in competition
- PulCinemaMente — the section dedicated to short films and video projects
- PulcinOpera — the award reserved for operatic and musical productions
- Spulciando — the selection open to local educational centers and organizations
The venues of the event
The headquarters is the Cinema Teatro Lendi in Sant'Arpino, where the competition days begin and end. Other spaces involved in the town include Piazza Macrì, the "Sanchez de Luna" Ducal Palace, Villa "Domenico Cirillo", and, of course, Fabula. It is a journey that transforms the center of the Agro Atellano—located at the gates of Naples but administratively in the province of Caserta—into a widespread stage for several days.
The "Genius Loci" Hall of Fame
Over the years, the award has gone to prominent names on the Neapolitan and national scene, including writer and screenwriter Maurizio De Giovanni, actors Antonio Milo and Marina Confalone, philosopher and Germanist Sossio Giametta, television journalist Antonio Lubrano, and actor and director Arturo Cirillo. In 2026, the award was presented to actress and comedian Rosalia Porcaro.
Organizers
Artistic direction is entrusted to Elpidio Iorio, with cultural direction by Carmela Barbato, and organization managed in collaboration with Antonio Iavazzo and the "Il Colibrì" association of Sant'Arpino. The event is supported by the Campania Region, the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Municipality of Sant'Arpino, UNICEF Campania, and the local Pro Loco.
Why it's worth visiting
Those who arrive in Sant'Arpino during these days will find a free, popular, and intergenerational event: young people stepping onto a real stage, established actors listening, and a territory proudly reclaiming its role as the cradle of comedy. It is a rare opportunity to understand from the inside how Neapolitan tradition continues to renew itself, and to discover a corner of Campania that mass tourism has yet to touch.
Genius Loci Award — edition 2026
An edition between May and June
The 26th edition of the "PulciNellaMente" National School Theatre Festival opened on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Cinema Lendi in Sant'Arpino, with an inaugural performance by actress Gea Martire, and continued throughout the week across Piazza Macrì, the "Sanchez de Luna" Ducal Palace, Villa "Domenico Cirillo," and Fabula.
The two ceremonies
On Sunday, May 10, starting at 10:00 AM, the Cinema Lendi hosted the awards ceremony for the competing schools, attended by, among others, the Honorable Sergio Costa, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Nicola Graziano, President of UNICEF Italy. On Saturday, June 6, at 10:30 AM, the "Genius Loci" and "PulciNellaMente" awards were presented at the Fabula spaces at Via Martiri Atellani 210 to the Neapolitan actress and comedian Rosalia Porcaro.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The 2026 edition awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Claudio Mattone and Enzo Gragnaniello, while the "PulciNellaMente" award also went to actor and director Eduardo Scarpetta. Honors were also given to writer Peppe Lanzetta and Alberto Palmiero, with a special mention for rapper Lucariello.
Programme Genius Loci Award 2026
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — Cinema Lendi
- Inauguration of the 26th edition with a performance by actress Gea Martire
- Start of the competition days with primary and secondary schools
May 6–10, 2026 — Sant'Arpino
- Over fifty events including theatrical performances, short films, happenings, exhibitions, workshops, and seminars
- Approximately thirty schools of all levels competing from various Italian regions
- Venues: Cinema Teatro Lendi, Piazza Macrì, Palazzo Ducale «Sanchez de Luna», Villa «Domenico Cirillo», Fabula (former Atella Town Hall)
- Meetings with guests: Eduardo Scarpetta, Gianmaria Fiorillo, Francesco Inglese, Peppe Lanzetta, Alberto Palmiero
Sunday, May 10, 2026, 10:00 AM — Cinema Lendi
- Awards ceremony for competing schools
- First prize for high schools (ex aequo) to Liceo Classico «Augusto» of Rome for «Assassinio sull'Oriente Express 2.0» and Liceo «Galilei-Vanoni» of Nardò (LE) for «Così è (se vi pare)»
- PulcinOpera Award to Liceo Statale «E. Ainis» of Messina for «Le Troiane»
- Best Actor: Francesco Petrone (Liceo «F. Durante», Frattamaggiore); Best Actress: Elisa Mangano (Liceo «E. Ainis», Messina)
- Special Awards: Exemplary participation to Centro «Zenit» (Melito di Napoli), Best Choreography to Liceo «Giordano Bruno» (Arzano-Grumo Nevano), Screenplay to Liceo Scientifico «Fermi» (Aversa), Critics' Choice to Liceo «Cirillo» (Aversa) and Liceo «F. Durante» (Frattamaggiore), Audience Award to I.C. «Romeo-Cammisa» (Sant'Antimo)
- PulCinemaMente Section: Project Award to Istituto Kidville (Giugliano in Campania), Video Award to Scuola Secondaria «E. Fermi» (Manduria)
- Spulciando Selection: Interpretation Award to Centro «Pegaso» (Capodrise), Proposal Award to I.S. «G. Marconi» (Giugliano in Campania)
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10:30 AM — Fabula, former Atella Town Hall
- Presentation of the "Genius Loci" and "PulciNellaMente" awards to Rosalia Porcaro
- Institutional greetings from mayors Ernesto Di Mattia and Marco Antonio Del Prete, councilor Giovanni Maisto, and president Franco Montanaro
- Dialogue with the actress curated by Carmela Barbato and Andreina Raucci, coordinated by Imma Pezzullo and Elpidio Iorio
- Free admission
Highlights Genius Loci Award 2026
- 2026 "Genius Loci" and "PulciNellaMente" awards to actress and comedian Rosalia Porcaro
- Lifetime Achievement Award to Claudio Mattone and Enzo Gragnaniello
- "PulciNellaMente" award to actor and director Eduardo Scarpetta
- Inaugural show with Gea Martire at Cinema Lendi
- About thirty competing schools from across Italy and over fifty events
- Award ceremony at the Fabula site, where the Fabulae Atellanae were born
Prices Genius Loci Award 2026
Practical information — Genius Loci Award
How to get there
Sant'Arpino is located in the Agro Atellano, in the province of Caserta, about twenty kilometers from Naples. By car, it can be reached via the Asse Mediano (SS 162 NC) or the A1 motorway, taking the Caserta Sud exit. By train, the reference stations are Frattamaggiore-Grumo Nevano and Aversa, on the Naples-Aversa-Caserta line, which are then connected by local buses and taxis. The nearest airport is Naples-Capodichino, about 20 km away.
Admission
Access to the award ceremony and the festival events is free and open to the public, subject to availability. For performances in competition at the Cinema Teatro Lendi, it is recommended to arrive early.
Information
Artistic Director: Elpidio Iorio (tel. +39 347 6261311). Cultural Director: Carmela Barbato. The complete program and updates are published on the festival's official website.
Where to stay
The town's accommodation options are limited: it is advisable to stay in Aversa, Caserta, or Naples, all of which can be reached in less than half an hour by car.
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Where does it take place — Genius Loci Award
Fabula - ex Municipio di Atella e Cinema Teatro Lendi
Via Martiri Atellani 210, 81030 Sant'Arpino