Pietro Manetta Prize – National Poetry Competition

A poetry prize in the heart of Rome

The Pietro Manetta Prize is a National Poetry Competition promoted by the Rotary Club Roma Tevere, which celebrates its 5th edition in 2026. The event takes place in Rome, the capital of the Lazio region, and every year it brings together poets from across Italy around a simple yet powerful idea: poetry as an act of sharing and civic engagement. The motto accompanying the prize, "Art can serve," encapsulates the Rotary spirit that drives the initiative, where poetic language becomes a bridge between emotion, culture, and service.

The competition and its categories

The call for entries is open to all adults and features two categories: a youth section (under 35) and an adult section. Each author may submit one to three unpublished texts, in Italian or dialect, each no longer than fifty lines. A jury of experts evaluates the works and awards a cash prize to the top entries in each category. Winners are notified by the secretariat and invited to read their verses during the public awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony

The highlight of the event is the awards ceremony, hosted in a stunning setting: the rooftop of the Hotel Donna Laura Palace, in the Prati district, just a stone's throw from the Lungotevere. In the presence of club members, winners, and a large audience, the evening alternates readings of the winning poems with acknowledgments and awards, creating an intense and engaging atmosphere. The Rotary Club Roma Tevere collaborates with several other local clubs, showcasing a network dedicated to promoting poetic culture.

The performance poetry workshop

The project goes beyond the competition: the prize is accompanied by a performance poetry workshop designed for those interested in the spoken word, public reading, and spoken-word techniques. The course, consisting of a series of meetings, is led by an Italian Poetry Slam champion and focuses on effective communication and oral expression, bringing the Roman public closer to one of the most vibrant and engaging forms of contemporary poetry.

Why participate

The Pietro Manetta Prize is a significant event for the poetry scene in Rome and Lazio: a competition that combines the tradition of literary awards with performance art and the Rotary's spirit of solidarity. For authors, it is an opportunity to share their verses with a qualified jury and an attentive audience; for enthusiasts, it is an invitation to discover how poetry can truly serve the community.