The Nonino Prize becomes biennial and more international

Time for innovation, therefore, for the Nonino Prize, the international recognition established over half a century ago by Giannola and Benito Nonino for the valorization of rural civilization and to save the native Friulian vines in danger of extinction, then expanded over the years with the literary and international sections. A visionary project that has brought together in the jury over the years, since its origins, personalities such as Mario Soldati, Father David Maria Turoldo, Luigi Veronelli, Gianni Brera, Ermanno Olmi, Mario Rigoni Stern, Jorge Amado, Peter Brook, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, Natalia Ginzburg, Claudio Magris, VS Naipaul, James Lovelock, Adonis, Antonio Damasio, Edgar Morin, John Banville, Fabiola Gianotti, Giorgio Agamben and Amin Maalouf. In over 50 years it has rewarded winemakers, writers, intellectuals, philosophers, thinkers and scientists from all over the world, anticipating the Nobel Prize 6 times.

Starting from this year, the Award will take place every two years, strengthening its symbolic and cultural value. A choice, always in the wake and in honor of Benito Nonino who passed away on 8 July 2024, which arises from the desire to offer the Award more time for listening, observation and maturation, in full coherence with the principles that have always guided the Nonino family and the Company (elected ‘Best Distillery in the World’, Spirit Brand/Distillery of the Year in San Francisco in 2020): quality, depth and long-term vision, values shared with the prestigious international jury chaired by Antonio Damasio and composed of Adonis, Suad Amiry, John Banville, Luca Cendali, Mauro Ceruti, Jorie Graham, Amin Maalouf, Claudio Magris, Norman Manea and Edgar Morin.

The new biennial dimension – explains a note – will allow the Award to be further internationalised, with events and dialogues organized in the most important institutions of European and world capitals, starting from Paris in 2026, a moment of international meeting and communication with members of the jury and awardees, to delve deeper into the issues relating to respect for the earth and man, in a constantly evolving world.

The Nonino Prize, therefore, does not change its essence, the Nonino family assures the jury: it continues to celebrate authentic creativity, the search for quality while respecting the original values ​​of the Prize, “an invitation to meditate on our duties and responsibilities towards the earth and towards man, especially in favor of future generations”, in the words of the juror Ermanno Olmi. “Values ​​that unite the Nonino world with that of culture, literature and sciences with a new time, to become an even more visionary Award”, concludes the note announcing the news. (by Paolo Martini)