International Writing Course – Energheia

A week of writing in the Sassi

The International Writing Course is the international creative writing workshop organized in Matera by the Energheia Cultural Association, one of the longest-standing entities in the Lucanian literary scene, particularly known for the Energheia Literary Prize. The course is a week-long residential experience that brings together young authors under 30 from Italy and abroad in the Sassi.

Writing in language and European scope

The workshop is characterized by its multilingual and international dimension: participants work on creative writing also in foreign languages, guided by teachers and tutors from various backgrounds. The course is free and aimed at those taking their first steps in writing who wish to engage with a European context, in a city symbolic of cultural stratification like Matera.

A network of prestigious partners

The initiative is realized thanks to a network of significant collaborations: partners include the Spanish Embassy in Italy, Sorbonne University, the University of Basilicata (UniBas), and the Municipality of Matera. This support places the course within a broader project for the promotion of young literature and Euro-Mediterranean cultural dialogue.

Part of the Matera 2026 season

In 2026, the edition naturally fits into the atmosphere of Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue: writing as a bridge between languages, generations, and countries bordering the Mediterranean is exactly the kind of experience the city intends to promote. For young writers, it is a rare opportunity to work, read, and grow in the unique landscape of the Sassi.