Santangelo and Ferraris Triumph at the Costa Smeralda Literary Prize
The Costa Smeralda Literary Prize 2024 has awarded Evelina Santangelo and Maurizio Ferraris as winners in the categories of fiction and non-fiction, respectively. Santangelo’s novel, ‘Il sentimento del mare’ (Einaudi), explores the themes of humanity, history, and mystery through the lens of the sea. Ferraris’ book, ‘Imparare a vivere’ (Editori Laterza), emphasizes the importance of a broad perspective, one that philosophy offers, in an era of rapidly evolving technology.
The award ceremony took place on May 4th at the Conference Center in Porto Cervo, and it was graced by the presence of acclaimed Spanish writer Alicia Gimenez-Bartlett. Bartlett, whose latest book ‘La donna che fugge’ (Sellerio) featuring Inspector Petra Delicado has just hit the shelves, spoke about the transience of success, stating that writing is a way of life rather than a pursuit for recognition.
Another winner at the ceremony was Mariasole Bianco, who received the Mediterranean Culture Prize. Bianco, co-founder and president of the non-profit organization Worldrise, is the author of ‘Pianeta Oceano’ (Rizzoli). The Special Salmo Prize went to an Italian rap pioneer and music producer from Olbia who announced his upcoming documentary about the Costa Smeralda.
The Costa Smeralda Literary Prize is organized and promoted by the Costa Smeralda Consortium, chaired by Renzo Persico and directed by journalist Stefano Salis. The prize, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, and the Municipality of Arzachena, attracts a large audience and is conducted by journalist Roberta Floris.
The jury, composed of Lina Bolzoni, Marcello Fois, Elena Loewenthal, and Chiara Valerio, is presided over by Stefano Salis. Santangelo, praised by Michela Murgia for her ability to “work with words like the sea,” was awarded for the quality of her writing, the depth of her themes, and the elegance of her plot.
Ferraris, a professor of theoretical philosophy at the University of Turin and president of Labont (Center for Ontology) and the Institute of Advanced Studies Scienza Nuova, was recognized for his ability to challenge our beliefs, certainties, and commonplaces with a remarkable touch of irony. The motivation behind his award states that ‘Imparare a vivere’ is a providential book full of things we didn’t think we needed to know or not know.
During the final ceremony, sculptor Giuseppe Sanna presented a natural stone sculpture as an award for each category.
The Costa Smeralda Literary Prize continues to celebrate outstanding literary works, recognizing the talent and contributions of authors in various genres. This year’s winners, Santangelo and Ferraris, have demonstrated their ability to captivate readers with their thought-provoking narratives and profound reflections. Their works serve as a reminder of the power of literature to expand our horizons and inspire us to explore new perspectives.