Ij Pignaté 'd Castlamont Literary Competition

A competition for the Piedmontese language

The Ij Pignaté 'd Castlamont Literary Competition is the premier literary event dedicated to the Piedmontese language in the town of Castellamonte, in the Province of Turin, deep in the Canavese area. Every year, the competition invites authors and enthusiasts to submit original prose and poetry works in Piedmontese, adhering to standardized spelling, to pass on a linguistic and cultural heritage at risk of being lost to future generations.

Origins and the Scòla 'd piemontèis

The competition grew out of the Ij Pignaté 'd Castlamont group, founded in 2013 to promote and enhance the Piedmontese language in all its variants. That same year, thanks to the municipal administration, the first course for learning to read and write in Piedmontese was launched, named Ij Pignaté 'd Castlamont – Scòla 'd piemontèis. Weekly lessons, led by teacher Vittoria Minetti, are still held for free today in a space provided by the Municipality. The first edition of the competition was held in 2015, and the event has been renewed every year since.

How it works

Entries are divided into two main categories: poetry and prose in Piedmontese. A jury evaluates the unpublished texts and awards prizes to the best authors. The final phase culminates in the awards ceremony, hosted at the Centro Congressi Martinetti in Castellamonte—a convivial occasion where winning entries are read aloud and the work of those who continue to write in the Canavese dialect is celebrated.

Prizes and tofeje

Among the most distinctive prizes are the tofeje, the traditional terracotta vessels from Castellamonte—a city renowned for its ceramics—filled with local products and delicacies, alongside books and other surprise awards. This creates a direct link between the town's artisanal tradition and its literary one, making this competition a true cultural gem of the Canavese region.

A key event for the Canavese

Supported by the municipal administration of Castellamonte, the competition is much more than a literary contest: it is a meeting point for the community, an opportunity to rediscover the Piedmontese language, and a way to keep local traditions alive. Participation is open to all enthusiasts, whether residents or not, who wish to try their hand at writing in Piedmontese.