Premio Penne - International Literature Prize

The Premio Penne: An Institution of Italian Literature

The Premio Penne - International Literature Prize is one of Italy's most significant and long-standing literary honors. Established in 1979 as the "Città di Penne" National Fiction Prize by Professor Igino Creati, who served as General Secretary until 2013, the award is based in Penne, a historic town in the province of Pescara, in the heart of Abruzzo. Today, the scientific direction is led by Professor Antonio Sorella.

A Unique Formula: Where Literature Meets Academia

What sets the Premio Penne apart in the national cultural landscape is its direct involvement of high school students from the Vestina area and numerous Italian and international universities, who are invited to read the finalist works and cast their votes. The stated goal is to inspire young people to read, based on the conviction that "only an educated person is free." In 1996, the Ministry of Education recognized the prize as a pilot project for reading awareness in Italy.

A Prize with an International Calling

For over a decade, the Premio Penne has transcended national borders, partnering with universities in Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the UK, Germany, and the United States. In 1996, at the request of the Russian government, a sister edition was established in Moscow. The competition categories include the International Fiction Prize, the International Poetry Prize, and special sections such as "Writers from Cinema" and "Abruzzo Pride."

A Prestigious Hall of Fame

Over the years, the prize has celebrated some of the most authoritative figures in Italian literature. Recent winners include Corrado Augias (2024), and in 2025, Chiara Francini for fiction and Sonia Gentili for poetry. The award ceremony traditionally takes place across Penne, Pescara, and Chieti, utilizing the Town Hall Council Chamber, the Flaiano Auditorium, and the Gabriele d'Annunzio University campus.

Penne: A Jewel of Abruzzo

The prize is deeply rooted in its territory: Penne, one of the most characteristic villages in the province of Pescara with its distinctive red-brick architecture, provides the backdrop for an event that blends high culture, Abruzzese identity, and international openness. The event is held under the patronage of the Abruzzo Region and Confindustria Chieti Pescara.