Premio Energheia

Thirty years of writing in Matera

The Premio Energheia is one of the longest-running and most prestigious literary competitions in Southern Italy. Founded in 1995 and promoted by the Associazione Culturale Energheia, it has made Matera a focal point for young Italian and European writers. The award is aimed at young authors and is divided into numerous sections: the Premio Letterario Energheia (short story), I Brevissimi (very short stories), Energheia Cinema, Nuvole di Energheia (comic strips), Strisce di Energheia (humorous cartoons), the Premio Energheia Europa, and Cittadini del Mare (Citizens of the Sea).

An award with a European vocation

The Premio Energheia Europa involves young European and Middle Eastern writers aged 18 to 30, with participating countries ranging from Austria to Egypt, France to Greece, Ireland to Portugal, Slovenia to Spain. The awards ceremony traditionally takes place in September on the terrace of Palazzo Lanfranchi or in the Garden of the Domenico Ridola Museum, in the heart of Matera.

The International Writing Course

Alongside the award, the association organises the International Writing Course, a free creative writing workshop open to young authors under 30, conducted entirely in English. The course features international instructors and the collaboration of prestigious institutions: the Spanish Embassy in Italy, the Sorbonne, the University of Basilicata, and the Municipality of Matera.

Matera, city of culture

The Premio Energheia perfectly embodies the cultural vocation of Matera, the city of the Sassi and Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026. The event is supported by the Municipality of Matera and numerous Italian and European cultural partners.