La Foglia d'Oro

La Foglia d'Oro, poetry that illuminates the Apennines

La Foglia d'Oro is the national poetry competition held in Montefalcone Appennino, one of the most evocative villages in the Monti Sibillini mountains, perched on a rocky spur in the Province of Fermo, in the Marche region. Created to give voice to poetic expression and bring culture to the inland areas of the Apennines, the competition has grown edition after edition, collecting texts from every region of Italy.

A competition open to all

The event is divided into two sections: one dedicated to individual poets, the other reserved for schools, from primary to lower secondary level. Each year, a panel of experts, composed of university professors, literary critics, and municipal representatives, selects the finalists and identifies the winning works. The award-winning poems in the individual section are published in a collection in collaboration with Giaconi Editore.

The 2026 edition: the theme of "Contrasts"

The fourth edition, awarded on February 21, 2026, in the Municipal Theatre, had the theme of "Contrasts", inspired by Giuseppe Ungaretti's famous poem Italia. Over 150 participants in the individual section and 28 classes in the school section brought this record-breaking edition to life. The guest of honour was Maddalena Albiero, a very young poet from Bardolino awarded the title of Alfiere della Repubblica by President Mattarella.

The village as a backdrop

Montefalcone Appennino, with its views of the Sibillini mountains and its Teatro del Falco (Falcon Theatre), offers an intimate and secluded setting, perfect for an event that focuses on listening and reflection. The award ceremony takes place in a warm atmosphere, with readings of the winning poems, musical interludes, and the memory of the founder Giuseppe Tomassetti, to whom the event remains dedicated.

Culture in the inland areas

La Foglia d'Oro is organized by the Associazione La Foglia d'oro APS (La Foglia d'oro Cultural Association) together with the Pro Loco (local tourist board) and the Municipality of Montefalcone Appennino, with the support of local entities and the Fondazione Carisap. It is an example of how a small inland municipality in the Marche region can become a cultural reference point, capable of attracting poets and enthusiasts from all over the peninsula and engaging new generations in creative writing.