Ignazio Silone International Prize

A prize dedicated to the memory of Ignazio Silone

The Ignazio Silone International Prize is the cultural event through which the Municipality of Pescina, a village in the Marsica region of L'Aquila (Abruzzo), celebrates its most illustrious son: Secondino Tranquilli, known to the world as Ignazio Silone, author of masterpieces such as Fontamara, Bread and Wine, and The Seed Beneath the Snow. Born in Pescina in 1900, Silone remains one of the most widely translated and read voices in 20th-century Italian literature, a testament to a civic commitment that the prize keeps alive year after year.

An international event

Promoted by the City of Pescina in collaboration with the Ignazio Silone Study Center, the Literary Parks network, the Authentic Villages of Italy, and supported by the Abruzzo Region, the prize is divided into several sections: a lifetime achievement award for figures in culture, journalism, and institutions; a prize for doctoral and master's theses dedicated to Silone's work; a translation prize; and a section reserved for young people and secondary schools. Each edition revolves around a contemporary theme linked to the author's philosophy.

Culture, debate, and music

The event is more than just an awards ceremony: over several days, Pescina comes alive with round-table discussions, meetings with writers and journalists, book presentations in the historic town squares, and grand musical evenings in Piazza Duomo. A symbolic highlight is the Silone Trail, a literary excursion through the places that inspired the writer, organized by the Study Center and the local Alpine Club (CAI), featuring readings and tastings of traditional Marsican flavors.

Venues

The heart of the events is the San Francesco Theatre, alongside the Ignazio Silone House Museum, Piazza Duomo, and Piazza Mazzarino. The prize is split into a summer session in August and a winter session in December, specifically dedicated to dialogue with the younger generation.

Why attend

• Rediscover the work and relevance of one of the greatest 20th-century Abruzzese writers.
• Attend meetings with journalists, intellectuals, and nationally renowned winners.
• Experience the village of Pescina and the landscapes of the Marsica region through culture, tradition, and music.
• Free admission to events in an intimate and authentic setting.

An opportunity to combine cultural tourism and literary memory in the heart of inland Abruzzo, in a territory that takes pride in its Silone identity.