Italian authors win major literary prizes

Several Italian literary awards have recently announced their winners. At the 2026 “Vincenzo Russo – Castel di Carta” Prize, held during the Cava Book Fest, Saverio Giannini won first place in the published youth fiction category for his novel “L’Uomo Sole”. The work, published by Giazira Scritture, explores themes of bullying, youth distress, and social inclusion through the story of a teenager named Samuel. The jury, presided over by writer Maurizio De Giovanni, praised the book for its sensitive handling of fragility and diversity.

In Tuscany, the 51st edition of the Premio Casentino awarded the “Giuseppe Frunzi” section for published fiction to Calabrian writer Vincenzo Ursini. His debut novel, “La Ritornanza”, which is set in the village of Petrizzi, was selected by a jury of Italian literature professors and cultural experts. The award ceremony took place in Pratovecchio Stia, featuring a cultural program that included an honorary award for writer Aldo Cazzullo.