Tolentino: students from across Italy attend the Certamen Philelfianum

Tolentino: students from across Italy at the Certamen Philelfianum

The ninth edition of the Certamen Philelfianum closed with growing participation. The awards ceremony took place on 22 April 2026 at the Politeama Franco Moschini, attended by mayor Mauro Sclavi and representatives from schools and universities.

Organised by Professor Silvia Fiaschi of the University of Macerata, this year’s theme was “Humanism, Water, the Universe”. Tasks based on texts by Girolamo Squarzafico, Giorgio Valla and Andrea Bacci encouraged reflection on technological change, the relationship between harmony and health, and the role of water in the development of civilizations. A roundtable with scholars and researchers from the Macerata university opened the day.

Sixteen awards were presented with support from institutions including the Scuola di Studi Superiori Giacomo Leopardi and the Municipality of Tolentino. Top-placed students came from several regions:

• Anna Capriccioli – Liceo Classico “Tacito”, Rome
• Ludovico Alberto Russo – Messina
• Jole De Luca – Nola
• Riccardo Massimi – Nardò
• Sofia Baldassini – Liceo “Filelfo”, Tolentino

The evening featured musical and choreographic performances by students of the Filelfo Institute, highlighting strong local school involvement. “The Certamen Philelfianum is an authentic project,” said Silvia Fiaschi, emphasizing the need to support it to ensure its future.

The event underlines the national scope of the competition and its role in promoting humanistic studies and intergenerational dialogue on Italy’s cultural roots.