Nino Martoglio Award – City of Grotte

A tribute to Sicilian culture under the stars of Grotte

The Nino Martoglio Award – City of Grotte is one of the most deeply rooted cultural events in the town of Grotte, a small center in the Province of Agrigento, Sicily. Conceived and directed by Aristotele Cuffaro and established in 2003, the award has grown with each edition to become a prominent showcase for Sicilian artists who have distinguished themselves on a national level. The setting is the evocative Piazza Umberto I, the heart of the town, which for one night becomes an open-air theater packed with spectators.

Who the award is dedicated to

The accolade bears the name of Nino Martoglio (Belpasso, 1870 – Catania, 1921), a poet, playwright, journalist, and film director who was one of the fathers of modern Sicilian culture. He wrote famous works in the Sicilian dialect such as L'aria del Continente and San Giuvanni Decollatu, collaborated with Luigi Pirandello, and, with films like Sperduti nel buio, was a precursor to the realism that would later inspire neorealism. Naming an award after him is a testament to the value of the Sicilian language and art.

The award sections

Over the years, the award has been divided into several sections, each dedicated to a figure of local culture:

• "Gregorio Napoli" Cinema, Theater and Entertainment Section, established in 2006 in collaboration with film critic Gregorio Napoli and named after him following his passing, reserved for Sicilian actors and directors of national prominence.
• "Francesco Pillitteri" Literary Section, established in 2009 in memory of the historian and man of letters of Grotte origin, dedicated to scholars and intellectuals.
• Special awards for artistic and musical merit and lifetime achievement awards.

A prestigious hall of fame

Throughout its editions, the Nino Martoglio Award has brought some of the most beloved names of the Sicilian and national scene to Grotte: from the comedy duo Ficarra e Picone to singer-songwriter Franco Battiato, from host Pippo Baudo to actor Luigi Lo Cascio, as well as numerous actors, directors, and musicians from the island. This has transformed a local town award into an event capable of attracting attention and press far beyond the borders of the Agrigento area.

An evening for the community

The awards ceremony, which is free to attend, combines the presentation of the accolades with performances, artist testimonials, and often a concluding film screening. It is an occasion where the entire community of Grotte gathers in the square, in an atmosphere that blends identity pride, culture, and popular celebration.