FESTIVAL del Premio Letteratura Ragazzi 47° edizione

**Translated Text:**

Born in 1978, the Cento Children’s Literature Prize is the first and longest-running literary award in Italy. It is the only award that had Gianni Rodari as the President of the Jury, who, in the first edition, awarded Roberto Piumini. His sudden and premature passing during the planning of the second edition led the organizers to decide that no one would ever again be appointed President. Since then, the Technical Jury has not had Presidents. Its formula is simple and democratic: the Technical Jury selects two finalist groups of three from all the books in competition (this year 195!), one for primary school and one for secondary school. At this point, the Prize acquires thousands of copies of books and sends them for free to schools in Italy and Italian schools abroad that request to participate as the Popular Jury (over 13,000 kids!). From that moment on, the kids read the books in class and vote, determining the final ranking.

“The Foundation’s commitment to promoting reading is in constant growth. In recent years, we have increased our efforts to be closer to the kids. Books help us to understand the world, and never have we felt the need for them more than in this historical moment, but they also invite us to take a break, to regain trust, to build connections. For this reason, we continue to believe that reading together, discussing, and listening are simple yet profound gestures, capable of restoring peace and hope.” These are the words of Raffaella Cavicchi, President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Cento Foundation.

**THE FESTIVAL**

There is a moment in the year when stories come back to celebrate, words ignite with wonder, and imagination takes center stage: it’s time for the 47th edition of the Children’s Literature Prize Festival, promoted by the Cassa di Risparmio di Cento Foundation, with an open look at the contemporary literary landscape dedicated to children. An eagerly awaited event by kids, teachers, authors, illustrators, and publishing houses, capable of uniting different generations through the simple and necessary act of reading, where books and authors engage in a lively and engaging dialogue with the audience. For five days, Cento becomes the capital of children's books.

This year, the FESTIVAL promises to be richer than ever, with great guests, meetings, workshops, and events designed to celebrate children's literature in all its forms. Not just a showcase, but a real cultural experience: a unique opportunity to approach stories, be inspired, and rediscover the value of reading as a tool for growth, to find a slower pace. Spring is just that: being reborn and flowering again, and what better than a book and the practice of reading to make our minds flourish?

Because reading, now more than ever, means opening doors, building bridges, and giving voice to dreams. The FESTIVAL of the Children’s Literature Prize is ready, once again, to lead this journey, where “Reading has never been so easy” is the slogan that accompanies this edition.

**THE PROGRAM**

It all starts on May 5 at the Teatro Pandurera in Cento, with a Lectio MAGISTRALIS: “WHO EDUCATES PARENTS? Raising children without a manual,” by Alberto PELLAI, a physician and child development psychotherapist, who will inaugurate the Festival. Pellai will guide us through a critical vision of the issues underlying the educational emergency that afflicts our time, of which we are currently experiencing the ramifications. Free entry with mandatory reservation: https://www.eventbrite.it/e/lectio-magistrali-di-alberto-pellai-tickets-1981313520074?aff=oddtdtcreator

On the same day in the morning, Valentina MISGUR, a finalist author in the primary school section with the book "Lo Spacciatore di Noci" (Bompiani), will meet the kids in the CREDEM Representative Hall. At 11 AM, at the Foundation’s headquarters, Roberta ISOLA will conduct a creative workshop using the Munari Method for primary school children.

May 6: at the Teatro Pandurera, for primary school children, there will be "The Live Illustrated Theater": Gek TESSARO presents PINOCCHIO (didattica@comunamente.it); at the Foundation's headquarters at 11 AM, Katia FORNAROLI presents the “TIN PENS Workshop, an introduction to Calligraphy” for first-grade secondary school children; at the same time, at the Pinacoteca San Lorenzo, the inauguration of the Illustrators Exhibition selected for the XXII Competition for Illustrators of the PLR.

May 7: in the CREDEM Representative Hall at 11:30 AM, there will be a live stream with author Charly DELWART, finalist with the book "Io, Me, and My Adventures. Diary of an Escape.” (La Nuova Frontiera Junior); at 11 AM in the educational classroom of the Civic Pinacoteca Guercino, a watercolor and character design workshop led by Ilaria URBINATI (for secondary schools).

May 8: eight meetings with four authors: Valentina MISGUR, Cristina BONA, and Margherita TURA, translator and editor of the finalist book "Lo scheletro nell'armadio" (Iperborea); Carlo MARCONI, author of the book "Come d'estate il temporale" (Lapis, winner of the Gianni Cerioli Poetry Prize); from London, Anthony MCGOWAN, author of the finalist book "Brock. The Fear of the Badger" (Rizzoli) will appear in various locations in the city center.

May 9 will be the long-awaited award ceremony, where the final ranking of the 47th edition of the PLR will finally be revealed. To conclude the festival, on Saturday afternoon at 6 PM there will be a screening of the animated film "Pinocchio" by Guillermo del Toro, winner of the Oscar for best animated film 2023, the Golden Globe, and the BAFTA Award.
All events are free of charge.
For information: www.premioletteraturaragazzi.it, for registrations: didattica@comunamente.it

"The quality of the finalist books of this edition once again confirms the vitality and depth of children's literature: stories capable of speaking to the present, of tackling complex themes with authenticity, and of opening new spaces for reflection. One element that makes our Prize truly unique for 47 years is the Popular Jury, an army of 13,000 kids who read and vote for the finalist books. A direct involvement that makes them feel responsible for the votes they cast, recognizing their critical capacity and sensitivity, making them active protagonists. We live in a time when technology is increasingly present in our lives; it is essential to continue to maintain high attention on books and reading, not in opposition, but as an irreplaceable opportunity for concentration, slowness, the maturation of empathy, and the development of free thought,” commented Elena Melloni, coordinator of the Prize.

**XXII ILLUSTRATORS COMPETITION OF THE PLR**

Presided over by Davide Bonazzi, a Bologna-based illustrator of international fame, the results after a careful evaluation are:
The Overall Winner of the Best Illustrated Narrative Award goes to Oliver Jeffers (Australia/Northern Ireland) with the book "PUNTO E A CAPO" published by Zoolibri.

The three finalist illustrators are: Francesca Ballarini with illustrations from the book "BAMBINI E GIARDINI" (Timpetill ed.); Alida Pintus with illustrations from the book "LA BORDA" (Edizioni Piuma); and Nina Six with illustrations from the book "LE PRIMULE" (Gallucci ed.). The final ranking will be revealed on May 9 during the award ceremony.
Another 11 illustrators will be part of the exhibition to be set up in the Blue Room of the Pinacoteca San Lorenzo in Cento, close to the great canvases of Guercino on display in the large central hall. Here is the complete list of artists:
Federico Maggioni ("METTETE DEI FIORI NEI VOSTRI CANNONI," Minerva ed.); Kalina Muhova ("CROMOSOMI," edizionicorsare); Cristina Trapanese ("STORIE DI ORDINARIA ENTOMOLOGIA. L'INCREDIBILE SCIENZA DEGLI INSETTI," Nomos ed.); Arinda Cracium ("CILIEGIE PER CAMMELLI," Il Gatto Verde ed.); Gerda Dendooven ("STELLA," Camelozampa ed.); Benjamin Chaud ("IERI AL MUSEO MI È SUCCESSA UNA COSA PAZZESCA," Franco Cosimo Panini ed.); Lucia Biancalana ("COME FREGARE UN LUPO," Franco Cosimo Panini ed.); Sara Cimarosti ("FLORA. LA STAFFETTA PARTIGIANA," Lapis ed.); Serena Viola ("COME D'ESTATE IL TEMPORALE," Lapis ed.); Paolo D'Altan ("GIACOMO&GIACOMO MATTEOTTI IL CORAGGIO DELLA VERITÀ," Carthusia ed.); Alessandro Sanna ("SALTAFOSSI," Gallucci ed.); and Anna Vaivare ("LO SCHELETRO NELL'ARMADIO," Iperborea ed.).

**SPECIAL RECOGNITION from the CHILDREN'S LITERATURE PRIZE of Cento, 2026**

After debuting last year with the award presented to Elisabetta Dami, the mother of Geronimo Stilton, the special recognition of the PLR returns this year awarded to Antonio FAETI: a Bolognese, writer, essayist, educator, painter, and Italian illustrator, he began his career as a teacher in elementary schools, later becoming the professor of the first Italian university chair of Children's Literature History at the Department of Educational Sciences of the University of Bologna, ultimately concluding as a lecturer on “Grammatiche della Fantasia” at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. The author of over thirty volumes, including essays, novels, and children's books. The award presentation will take place on Friday, May 8, at 6:30 PM in the CREDEM Representative Hall during a public meeting that will review the Master’s career: In the WORLD OF ANTONIO FAETI: Works, Visions, and New Pages.
For more information visit www.premioletteraturaragazzi.it.