Viareggio-Rèpaci Literary Prize

A landmark in Italian literature

The Viareggio-Rèpaci Literary Prize is one of the most significant and long-standing accolades in the Italian cultural landscape. Established in 1929 by Calabrian writer Leonida Rèpaci alongside Carlo Salsa and Alberto Colantuoni, the prize has been held for nearly a century in the town of Viareggio, in the Province of Lucca, on the Versilia coast of Tuscany. Over the decades, it has honored some of the most important names in Italian letters, including Umberto Saba, Elsa Morante, Carlo Emilio Gadda, and Italo Calvino.

The prize categories

Each year, the Viareggio-Rèpaci Prize presents its main awards in three categories: Fiction, Poetry, and Non-fiction. In addition to these, special awards are conferred, including the International Prize, the Journalism Prize, and the First Work Prize dedicated to debut authors. The jury, composed of critics, writers, and intellectuals, first selects the shortlists of finalists and then announces the winners during the closing ceremony.

The 2026 edition: the 97th

The 2026 event marks the 97th edition of the prize, with the jury presided over by Paolo Mieli and vice-chaired by writer and poet Leonardo Colombati. The finalists were announced on May 28, 2026, and include, for the Fiction section, Mattia Insolia, Eleonora Marangoni, and Anna Voltaggio; for Non-fiction, Pierluigi Battista, Claudio Giunta, and Filippo La Porta; and for Poetry, Francesca Mannocchi, Davide Rondoni, and Patrizia Valduga.

Two evenings in Piazza Mazzini

The heart of the prize takes place in Piazza Mazzini, overlooking the sea in Viareggio. On July 23, the finalists engage in a dialogue with the jury and present their works to the public; on July 24, at 9:00 PM, the grand finale takes place with the awards ceremony for the winners of each category. Admission to the evenings is free, and the event stands as one of the premier cultural highlights of the Versilia summer.

Literature and Versilia

More than just a prize, the Viareggio-Rèpaci is a cultural ritual that has linked great Italian literature to the summer charm of Versilia for nearly a century. The setting of Viareggio, a city also famous for its historic Carnival, welcomes writers, publishers, journalists, and readers every year in a spirit of celebration and intellectual exchange, confirming its status as a cornerstone of culture for the town and the entire Tuscany region.