Nicola Zingarelli National Literary Award

A literary award in the heart of Puglia

The Nicola Zingarelli National Literary Award is one of the most anticipated cultural events in Cerignola, a city in the province of Foggia, located in the Tavoliere delle Puglie region. The competition was established to honor Nicola Zingarelli (1860-1935), the Cerignola-born philologist and lexicographer who wrote the "Zingarelli," the Italian language dictionary that still bears his name and remains one of the most widely used in Italian schools and homes.

Organizers

The award is conceived and promoted by the MOTUS APS Artistic-Cultural Association, a third-sector organization based in Cerignola dedicated to spreading culture, reading, and writing among young people. Over the years, the event has garnered support from prominent institutions, including the patronage of the Ministry of University and Research, the Puglia Region, the Municipality of Cerignola, the Universities of Bari and Foggia, the Accademia della Crusca, and the Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano.

Competition Structure

The Zingarelli Award is a national competition open to authors, poets, and students from across Italy, divided into several sections:

• Published Fiction — published works, all genres included;
• Unpublished Poetry — single poem on a free theme;
• Schools Section — poetry and short stories for primary, middle, and high school students;
• Graphic Illustration — dedicated to the event's visual identity;
• Special awards Out of Competition and «Non Omnia Possumus Omnes», assigned by the jury to works and personalities of significant cultural, moral, and social importance.

Evaluation is entrusted to a mixed jury composed of both general readers and experts—journalists, university professors, and literary figures—blending public appeal with technical judgment.

The Gala Evening

The highlight is the awards ceremony, a gala event traditionally held in prestigious venues like Palazzo Fornari or the "Saverio Mercadante Saverio Mercadante" Municipal Theater. Between the presentation of the prizes—a silver ear of wheat on a wooden base, crafted by a local artist—the evening features readings, speeches by authors and publishers, and musical and theatrical entertainment, creating a celebration of language and culture that involves the entire community.

Why attend

More than just a competition, the Zingarelli Award is a project promoting reading and writing that weaves together Italy's great lexicographical tradition with the identity of Cerignola and the Tavoliere. It is an opportunity to rediscover the deep bond between this Apulian city and the Italian language, and to introduce young people to the value of words.