by Patrizia Riello Pera, Padua, Italy

In the heart of Venice at its most authentic, one of the most original and prestigious literary prizes in Italy was born in 1962: the Premio Campiello. Conceived at the initiative of Venetian industrialists, it stands as a rare example of an alliance between culture and enterprise, where the book becomes a bridge between the elite and the wider public. The first edition took place in 1963 and immediately crowned an author destined to shape the twentieth century, Primo Levi, inaugurating a tradition of narrative excellence that continues to this day. Unlike other awards, the Campiello entrusts its final decision not to professional critics but to a popular jury of three hundred readers, making the verdict a living expression of society itself. The ceremony, hosted in iconic venues such as Teatro La Fenice or Palazzo Ducale, has over time become a civic ritual of literature. The prize has chronicled the evolution of the country: from the postwar years to modernity, from existential unrest to globalization. In 1996, the Campiello Giovani was also established, signaling a strong commitment to younger generations. Over the decades, the Campiello has honored authors of vastly different styles, yet always capable of interpreting their time. Not only fiction: the prize has become a privileged observatory of the Italian language itself. Its strength lies in the balance between literary quality and readability—a prize that does not impose, but engages in constant dialogue with its readers. It does not merely select; it represents the soul of a nation. It is a symbolic space where culture meets the public and transforms into collective memory, and where, each year, among canals and history, literature renews itself and finds fresh vitality. It embodies the essence of a Venice that does not surrender to the past, but looks to the future through the power of words. Each winner adds a tile to an authorial mosaic that defines the intellectual identity of contemporary Italy, ensuring that the bond between creativity and community remains unbreakable over time. This lagoon stage transforms every book into a universal message, capable of transcending regional boundaries to speak to the heart of the world. The Jury of the Three Hundred, the beating heart of the initiative, ensures that the success of a work is not merely the result of editorial strategies, but of an authentic encounter with the shared sensibility of readers. The decision of Venetian industrialists to invest in the written word underscores how economic progress is devoid of value if not accompanied by civil and spiritual growth. In this context, the Campiello serves as a barometer of intellectual currents, registering even the slightest shifts in the tastes and sensibilities of a people in motion. The gala evenings, set amid the splendor of marble and the shimmer of water, are far more than social events: they are declarations of love for beauty and critical thought. Over time, the prize has embraced new forms of storytelling, remaining faithful to its original mission while opening itself to the crosscurrents of the present. The quality of writing is paired with the ability to be read, breaking down the barriers that often keep the public at a distance from major contemporary classics. Each awarded page is an invitation to discover the richness of the Italian language, in its most elegant nuances and its most urgent expressions. For one night, Venice becomes the world capital of the book, bearing witness to the idea that culture is a common good to be preserved with care and passion. In an age dominated by the digital, the Campiello reaffirms the importance of the book as a physical object—guardian of dreams and enduring truths. Its prestige is renewed through generational exchange, bringing masters and emerging voices into the same shared, ideal space. The strength of the Premio Campiello lies precisely in this hybrid nature, capable of uniting industry and dream, academic criticism and popular perception, creating a perfect harmony that elevates the spirit of those who read and those who write.

PATRIZIA RIELLO PERA – SCRITTRICE E DISEGNATRICE