Parco Majella National Nature Literature Prize

A literary prize at the foot of the Majella

The Parco Majella National Nature Literature Prize is one of the most well-established cultural events in inland Abruzzo. Founded in 1998, it takes place every July in Abbateggio, a small town in the Province of Pescara listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" and overlooking the western slopes of the Majella National Park. The prize is promoted by the Alle falde della Majella association in collaboration with the Abbateggio municipal administration and with the support of numerous national institutions.

A dialogue between literature and the environment

The core philosophy of the prize is to raise awareness of environmental issues through the power of the written word, while simultaneously promoting the Majella region and its identity. The award is divided into three competitive sections: Fiction, Poetry, and Non-fiction. Over the years, the event has honored leading voices in Italian culture and welcomed international jurors and guests, with participants hailing from Canada, the United States, India, Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.

The formula: technical and popular juries

The prize is distinguished by its participatory format: alongside a technical jury composed of scholars, critics, and university professors, a popular jury of readers votes directly for the finalist works. On the evening before the awards ceremony, the finalists meet the public and readers for a direct discussion about the works in competition—a way to bring the community closer to reading and make the prize a moment of true collective participation.

A nationally significant event

In nearly thirty years of history, the Parco Majella Prize has involved over 1,500 participants, awarded approximately 250 prizes, and conferred numerous special recognitions, establishing itself as a benchmark for nature and environmental literature in Italy. The final ceremony, hosted in the charming historic center of Abbateggio, blends culture, landscape, and community in one of the most authentic settings of the Abruzzo mountains.

Abbateggio and the Majella

Visiting the prize is also an opportunity to discover Abbateggio and the territory of the Majella National Park: stone villages, tholos huts and pastoral shelters, hiking trails, and a gastronomy rooted in the Abruzzese peasant tradition, from the historic local spelt to typical mountain products.