Procida - Arturo's Island - Elsa Morante Award
The literary prize that brings Elsa Morante back to Arturo's island every year
About Procida - Elsa Morante Award
A prize born on Arturo's island
The Procida - Arturo's Island - Elsa Morante Award was founded in February 1986, shortly after the writer's death, at the initiative of the Municipality of Procida's Department of Culture and upon the suggestion of intellectuals linked to the island, including Paolo Volponi and Walter Pedullà . It is the first Italian award named after Elsa Morante and has remained the most authoritative over the decades: a tribute to the deep bond between the writer and this small island in the Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania, where Arturo's Island, winner of the 1957 Strega Prize, is set.
The award is held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic and with the support of the Campania Region. It is not an isolated event: throughout the year, the Municipality of Procida promotes meetings, presentations, and collateral awards, making the prize a permanent cultural fixture on the island.
How it works: from the longlist to the readers' jury
The mechanism is what sets the Procida Award apart from many other Italian literary prizes. A technical jury—chaired by Silvia Zoppi Garampi and composed of Antonio Corsaro, Alberto Fraccacreta, Massimo Onofri, and Ilaria Tufano—selects ten works of fiction each year from books published in Italy over the previous twelve months. From this longlist, a trio of finalists is then chosen.
At that point, the floor is given to the readers: the Municipality of Procida purchases dozens of copies of each finalist book so that every juror-reader can truly read the competing works before voting. The verdict is therefore not the result of a small committee, but of a community of island readers and schools. The vote count takes place live during the awards ceremony, creating a sense of suspense that has become the hallmark of the event.
Award sections
Alongside the main Fiction section, present since its inception, the award has been enriched over time with recognitions for debut works, non-fiction, translation, Poetry, and journalism, as well as special awards assigned to figures from culture and civil society.
- Fiction: the heart of the award, with a longlist, a trio of finalists, and the readers' jury.
- Homage to Elsa: dedicated to works that engage with the figure and universe of Morante.
- History: a section named after the 1974 novel that honors witnesses of contemporary history.
- The World Saved by Kids: the parallel prize for children's literature, voted on by students.
The Giardini di Elsa, the heart of the ceremony
The ceremony is held in the Giardini di Elsa, the park of the historic Eldorado guesthouse, where Elsa Morante spent many happy days in Procida. Awarding writers here means returning the prize to the landscape that inspired it: the greenery, the sea, and the island's colorful houses become part of the evening's scenery, accompanied by musical interludes and readings from the finalist works.
Procida, an island that keeps reading
Procida, the smallest of the island municipalities in the Gulf of Naples, has built a strong cultural identity over the years, culminating in its recognition as the Italian Capital of Culture. The Procida - Arturo's Island - Elsa Morante Award is one of the pillars of this journey: an event that brings authors, publishers, and critics to the island between late summer and early autumn, when the beach season winds down and Procida returns to its most authentic self.
For those visiting Campania, attending the ceremony is also a unique way to discover the island: you arrive by ferry from Naples or Pozzuoli, head up toward the Morante-inspired locations, pass through Marina Corricella and Terra Murata, and in the evening, listen to the vote count under the stars.
Procida - Elsa Morante Award — edition 2026
An edition in two parts
2026 marks the 39th edition of the award. The calendar revolves around two events: the awards ceremony for the Fiction section, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Procida, and the final of the youth section The World Saved by Kids - Elsa Morante, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, also on the island.
As every year, the technical jury has selected ten works of fiction; from this list, a trio of finalists was identified and submitted to the vote of the Readers' Jury, which decides the overall winner. The counting of the ballots takes place publicly during the final evening in the Municipality of Procida, in the province of Naples.
Throughout the year, the award has also assigned collateral recognitions: in March 2026, for the History section, the prize went to the doctor from Lampedusa, Pietro Bartolo, for his commitment as an active witness of contemporary history, with a morning meeting with students from the Francesco Caracciolo - Giovanni da Procida Institute and a public ceremony at 6:00 PM.
Programme Procida - Elsa Morante Award 2026
Fiction Section - Saturday, September 19, 2026, Procida
Awards ceremony with live vote count by the Readers' Jury. Technical jury chaired by Silvia Zoppi, with Antonio Corsaro, Alberto Fraccacreta, Massimo Onofri, and Ilaria Tufano.
The ten competing works (selected from volumes published in Italy from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026):
- Roberto Alajmo and Marco Carapezza, Avventure postume di personaggi illustri (Sellerio, 2025)
- Vanessa Ambrosecchio, Le Leonesse di Vergine Maria (Mesogea, 2025)
- Mauro Covacich, Lina e il sasso (La nave di Teseo, 2026)
- Nicola Fano, Michelangelo e i pensatori. Apologia del dubbio nelle arti (Elliot, 2025)
- Giorgio Ficara, Il padre sulle spalle (Einaudi, 2025)
- Eleonora Marangoni, L'imperdibile (Feltrinelli, 2026)
- Luca Mastrantonio, Piombo e latte (Bompiani, 2025)
- Marta Morazzoni, Tutta la verità , all'incirca (Guanda, 2025)
- Romana Petri, Distanza di sicurezza (Neri Pozza, 2026)
- Alessandro Zaccuri, Le ombre (Marsilio, 2025)
The World Saved by Kids - Elsa Morante, 9th edition - Saturday, October 10, 2026, Procida
Final of the prize dedicated to children's literature, with a jury composed of middle and high school students who decree the winning work with a free vote.
The trio of finalists:
- Cristiana Chiumenti, Il bambino che voleva pescare le stelle (Mondadori)
- Pierdomenico Baccalario, Countdown. Il libro di neve (Piemme)
- Francesco Gungui, Metà , la stagione dei tornei (Il Castoro)
In parallel, an instant poetry writing competition is held for children aged 10 to 15, promoted by the Francesco Terrone Foundation, which awards the L'Urlo dell'Innocenza plaque to the best text. The section is organized by the social promotion association Il mondo salvato dai ragazzini - Elsa Morante together with the Francesco Terrone Foundation.
History Section - March 24, 2026, Procida
Prize awarded to Pietro Bartolo: meeting with students of the Francesco Caracciolo - Giovanni da Procida Institute in the morning, public ceremony at 6:00 PM with music by Eddy Stifano.
Highlights Procida - Elsa Morante Award 2026
- Live vote count on the evening of September 19, 2026: the winner of the Fiction section is only known at the end.
- Ten competing works chosen by the technical jury chaired by Silvia Zoppi.
- The Readers' Jury of Procida, the democratic heart of the award.
- The youth final on October 10, 2026, with a student jury and an instant poetry competition.
- The setting of the Giardini di Elsa, the former Eldorado guesthouse dear to the writer.
Prices Procida - Elsa Morante Award 2026
Practical information — Procida - Elsa Morante Award
Getting there
Procida is only accessible by sea. Ferries and hydrofoils depart from Naples (Molo Beverello for hydrofoils, Calata Porta di Massa for ferries) and from Pozzuoli, arriving at Marina Grande. From Naples, the fast connection takes about 40 minutes; from Pozzuoli, it takes just over half an hour by ferry.
Getting around the island
The island is small and largely walkable; microbus lines run from the port to the main locations. Car traffic for non-residents is regulated during the high season: it is best to leave your vehicle in Naples or Pozzuoli.
Useful tips
- The ceremony takes place outdoors in the evening: bring a light jacket.
- Check the times for the last return ferry connections, as they are limited in the evening; staying overnight on the island is the most convenient solution.
- The program, schedule, and participation methods are published by the Municipality of Procida on its official channels in the weeks prior.
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Where does it take place — Procida - Elsa Morante Award
Giardini di Elsa (ex pensione Eldorado)