Dialect as Poetry: Registrations Open for the "Città di Sermoneta 2026"

National Dialect Poetry Prize: registrations open

Registrations have opened for the second edition of the "Città di Sermoneta 2026" National Dialect Poetry Prize, promoted by Unitre Sermoneta APS in partnership with the Municipality of Sermoneta and the Roffredo Caetani Foundation. The initiative aims to promote Italian dialects as cultural heritage and a contemporary expressive medium.

The competition accepts works in dialect accompanied by an Italian translation and is open to poets of all ages, with a dedicated section for young authors aged 8 to 18. Monetary prizes and book vouchers are offered to support creativity and the transmission of local language traditions.

• Section A: unpublished poetry collection (20–25 poems) with translation.
• Section B: unpublished single poem with translation.
• Section C: youth section (8–18 years).
• Section D: published single poems in dialect with translation.
• Special sections: award for poets from the province of Latina and the "Versi di dentro" prize for poems by detainees at the Casa Circondariale di Latina.

Registration deadline: 15 August 2026. Prizes: up to €1,000 for top winners in the main sections; book vouchers for the youth section.

The final ceremony and cultural events will take place in Sermoneta from 24 to 26 October 2026, with the awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, 26 October. The full call and participation details are available on the prize's official website.