Più a Sud di Tunisi National Award

An award at Italy's southernmost point

The Più a Sud di Tunisi National Award takes its name from the unique geographical location of Portopalo di Capo Passero. This municipality in the province of Syracuse, along with the nearby Capo Passero, marks the southernmost point of continental Sicily—a strip of land that stretches even further south than the latitude of Tunis. It is precisely this identity as a borderland and Mediterranean crossroads that inspires a cultural event which, for over twenty years, has brought writers, journalists, artists, and key figures of Italian civic life to Portopalo.

Award categories

The event is divided into several sections, ranging from fiction and journalism to communication and civic memory. Among the most prestigious honors is the "Osvaldo Soriano" award, dedicated to the great Argentine writer and journalist, alongside the "National," "Information and Territory," "Communication," and "In Memoriam" sections. Over the years, the award has recognized prominent names in print media, radio, and television, as well as singer-songwriters and cultural figures, weaving the narrative of the Sicilian territory with the major themes of contemporary journalism.

Civic engagement and Sicilian identity

More than just an awards ceremony, the Più a Sud di Tunisi Award is an event that celebrates civic memory and commitment. It honors individuals who paid with their lives for their service to the State and pays tribute to great interpreters of Sicilian culture. Directed and coordinated by journalists and writers such as Vincenzo Grienti, Darwin Pastorin, and Sergio Taccone, the festival crafts a program each year that balances reflection, entertainment, and hospitality.

Evenings in Portopalo

The event takes place in the heart of the village, amidst squares overlooking the sea and vistas that tell the history of Portopalo's tuna fisheries and maritime traditions. The opening night is traditionally marked by a concert, while the final day hosts the awards ceremony, guest speeches, and public discussions. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the southernmost tip of Sicily, surrounded by culture, Mediterranean sunsets, and local seafood cuisine.