Ginestra d'Oro International Dance Award

An international award in a Lazio village

The Ginestra d'Oro International Dance Award is one of the most unique events in the Italian dance scene: rather than taking place in a grand city theater, it is hosted in the main square of Marcellina, a town of just over seven thousand residents at the foot of Monte Gennaro. Every year, on a September evening, Piazza Cesare Battisti is filled with seating, lights, and a stage where ballet stars, choreographers, journalists, and celebrities gather.

The origins: La Gioia di Danzare school

The award was established in September 2000 by the cultural association La Gioia di Danzare - Balletto di Marcellina, a school founded in 1997 and directed by Sara Zuccari—a journalist, dance teacher, choreographer, and dance historian who remains the artistic director to this day. The vision was both simple and ambitious: to bring an award to the Sabina region capable of engaging with the greatest names in international ballet. Today, the event is organized in partnership with the Giornale della Danza and the Pro Loco of Marcellina, with the support of the local municipality.

Over a hundred personalities honored

Over twenty-five editions, the Ginestra d'Oro has been presented to more than a hundred protagonists of dance and culture. Past recipients include Carla Fracci—who was granted honorary citizenship of Marcellina during the 2006 ceremony—as well as Eleonora Abbagnato, Roberto Bolle, Vladimir Derevianko, Raffaella Carrà, and Carmen Russo. The jury, chaired by journalist Emilio Carelli, brings together journalists, television hosts, local officials, and industry experts.

The evening's format

The formula is well-established and remains consistent year after year:

• The event begins at 9:00 PM in the open-air setting of Piazza Cesare Battisti;
• The program alternates between award presentations and live performances, featuring solos, pas de deux, and both classical and contemporary choreography;
• Students from the La Gioia di Danzare school perform alongside professionals;
• The evening is hosted by well-known figures from television and cultural journalism;
• Admission is free, subject to seat availability.

A signature event for the Aniene Valley

Over time, the Ginestra d'Oro has become one of the most anticipated events in the Sabina and Aniene Valley areas, attracting audiences from Tivoli, Guidonia Montecelio, Monterotondo, and Rome itself. For the town, it is more than just a show: it is a moment of collective identity where local associations, the Pro Loco, and the municipal administration work together to welcome artists of national and international renown. The name of the award itself refers to the ginestra (broom shrub), which colors the limestone slopes of the Lucretili Mountains, the protected area overlooking the town.

Dance, television, and culture

A distinctive feature of the award is its scope beyond pure ballet: alongside opera house stars, the event honors television choreographers, teachers, cultural workers, and journalists who chronicle the world of dance. This blend of stage performance and media storytelling explains the event's popularity with a broad audience, making it an occasion perfectly suited for families and young students from dance schools across Lazio.

When to go

The gala is traditionally held in September, usually on a Saturday. The 24th edition took place on September 7, 2024, and the 25th on September 13, 2025. It is the ideal time to combine the event with a hike in the Lucretili Mountains Regional Natural Park or a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli, just a few kilometers away.