Giosuè Carducci National Poetry Prize
Pietrasanta's poetry award celebrating the Versilia-born poet, now in its 70th year
About Carducci Prize
The Carducci Prize: A Seventy-Year Legacy
The Giosuè Carducci National Poetry Prize is one of the most deeply rooted cultural institutions in Pietrasanta, located in the heart of Versilia, in the province of Lucca. Promoted by the Municipality of Pietrasanta, the award celebrates the memory of the poet Giosuè Carducci, who was born in 1835 in the village of Valdicastello Carducci and became the first Italian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906. The date of the ceremony is no coincidence: July 27th marks the anniversary of the poet's birth.
Reaching its 70th edition in 2026, the prize has established itself over the years as one of the most authoritative accolades in the Italian poetic landscape, attracting dozens of collections from across the country every year and a jury of leading critics, writers, and translators.
How the Prize Works
The competition is reserved for authors who have published a poetry collection in Italian. From the numerous entries, the jury selects a finalist trio, from which the winner is proclaimed during the final evening. The award ceremony takes place in the natural setting of Piazza del Duomo, on the parvis of the Collegiate Church of San Martino, which for one night becomes an open-air stage in the historic center of Pietrasanta.
A Showcase for Contemporary Poetry
In recent years, the prize has crowned some of the most significant voices in Italian poetry. The jury, chaired by Professor Ilaria Cipriani, brings together prominent figures from the literary world, including critics, Premio Strega finalists, and established translators.
Poetry in Schools
Alongside the main competition, the Carducci Prize has long dedicated a special section to local schools in the Versilia area, with the goal of introducing young people to poetry and the figure of Carducci. Conferences, workshops, and award ceremonies involve middle and high school students, particularly at Casa Carducci in Valdicastello.
Pietrasanta, Capital of Sculpture and Culture
Known as the "Little Athens" and an international capital of sculpture, Pietrasanta provides an exceptional backdrop for the prize. The town, with its monumental square, art workshops, and sculptors' studios, sets the stage for an evening where poetry, music, and the arts intertwine, confirming the cultural vocation of this corner of Tuscany overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Carducci Prize — edition 2026
The 70th edition of the Giosuè Carducci National Poetry Prize is a special edition, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the prize and 120 years since the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Carducci in 1906, the first ever conferred upon an Italian author. The final ceremony, with the proclamation of the winner from the three finalists, is scheduled for July 27, 2026, in Piazza del Duomo.
The 2026 call for entries, promoted by the Municipality of Pietrasanta with the patronage of the Tuscany Region and the Province of Lucca, is aimed at authors of poetry collections published in Italian after January 1, 2025, with a submission deadline of May 20, 2026.
Programme Carducci Prize 2026
Sunday, July 27, 2026 — Pietrasanta
The 2026 edition confirms the established structure of the prize, spread throughout the day of July 27, Carducci's birthday:
- Morning — Casa Carducci (Valdicastello): Awarding of the school section, dedicated in 2026 to the 120th anniversary of Carducci's Nobel Prize.
- Evening — Piazza del Duomo: Final ceremony with the proclamation of the winner from the competition's finalist trio.
The Jury
The 2026 jury is chaired by Professor Ilaria Cipriani and is composed of:
- Carlo Carabba (editor and writer, Premio Strega finalist)
- Ilide Carmignani (translator of Roberto Bolaño and Luis Sepúlveda)
- Fabio Genovesi (writer, winner of the Premio Strega Giovani)
- Antonio Riccardi (poet and literary critic)
School Section
The school section, curated by Rita Camaiora and Pietro Conti with the collaboration of Chiara Tognarelli, involves middle and high school students from the Versilia area, with a dedicated conference and activities on the theme of Carducci's Nobel Prize.
The finalist trio of the 2026 competition will be announced in the weeks preceding the ceremony; the detailed program for the evening will be announced by the Municipality of Pietrasanta closer to the event.
Highlights Carducci Prize 2026
Prices Carducci Prize 2026
Practical information — Carducci Prize
Location
The award ceremony takes place in Piazza del Duomo, in the historic center of Pietrasanta (LU). The school section awards and certain events are held at Casa Carducci in Valdicastello Carducci.
Getting There
By train: Pietrasanta station on the Genoa–Rome line, a few minutes' walk from the historic center. By car: Take the Versilia exit on the A12 motorway (Genoa–Rosignano). Nearest airports: Pisa (approx. 35 km) and Florence.
Admission and Registration
The award ceremony in Piazza del Duomo is free to attend. Competition entries must follow the guidelines published annually by the Municipality of Pietrasanta (works must be sent in hard copy to the municipal office at Via Capriglia 17). It is recommended to check the official website premiocarducci.it for the updated regulations.
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Where does it take place — Carducci Prize
Piazza del Duomo
Via Capriglia 17, 55045 Pietrasanta