International Writing Course – Energheia

A week of writing in the Sassi

The International Writing Course is the international creative writing workshop organised in Matera by the Energheia Cultural Association, one of the longest-standing organisations in the Lucanian literary scene, best 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 characterised by its multilingual and international dimension: participants work on creative writing, also in foreign languages, guided by teachers and tutors from diverse backgrounds. The course is free and aimed at those taking their first steps in writing and wishing to engage with a European context, in a city symbolising cultural stratification like Matera.

A network of prestigious partners

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

Within 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.