Premio Strega 2026: Michele Mari e la Sestina Finalista

The 80th edition of the Premio Strega has broken with tradition, expanding its final shortlist from the customary five candidates to six. This decision marks only the tenth time in the history of Italy’s most prestigious literary prize, organised by the Fondazione Maria e Goffredo Bellonci, that the “cinquina” has been expanded.

The finalists were announced on June 3 at the Teatro Romano in Benevento. The current leaderboard is headed by Michele Mari, whose work I convitati di pietra (Einaudi) secured 280 votes. Mari, who previously won the Strega Giovani on March 4, noted that his novel was inspired by a serious-looking high school class photograph.

A Diverse Field of Finalists

Following Mari is Matteo Nucci with Platone. Una storia d’amore (Feltrinelli), receiving 242 votes. Nucci described the narrative essay, which reimagines the Greek philosopher as a contemporary hero, as the result of thirty years of conceptualization and five years of writing.

Bianca Pitzorno takes the third spot with 195 votes for La sonnambula (Bompiani), a work exploring the mysteries of the human soul. Teresa Ciabatti follows with 184 votes for Donnaregina (Mondadori), a novel focusing on femininity and the conquest of personal roles.

Alcide Pierantozzi earned 170 votes for Lo sbilico (Einaudi), providing Einaudi with two finalists. His work offers a raw look at daily life with autism and mental instability, using writing as a tool to focus on reality.

Did You Know? The inclusion of Elena Rui in the finals was made possible by Article 7 of the regulations, a “safeguard clause” that guarantees at least one novel from a medium or small publisher reaches the final.

The Role of Independent Publishing

Elena Rui represents the independent publishing sector with Vedove di Camus (L’orma), garnering 163 votes. Her novel explores the lives of four women who loved Nobel laureate Albert Camus, centering on the period following his sudden death in a car accident on January 4, 1960.

Due parole su "I convitati di pietra" di Michele Mari, candidato finalista Premio Strega 2026

While the top five spots are held by major publishing houses, Rui’s presence highlights the prize’s commitment to smaller editors. This is the first time the clause has been utilized since 2024.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the tension between the dominance of major houses like Einaudi and the strategic use of Article 7 creates a critical balance. This structure ensures that while commercial power is recognised, literary merit from independent presses is not entirely eclipsed.

Road to the Final

The announcement ceremony was conducted by Stefano Coletta, with Melania G. Mazzucco presiding in place of 2025 winner Andrea Bajani. Out of 800 eligible voters, 677 cast their ballots.

Six titles failed to make the cut, including Acqua sporca by Nadeesha Uyangoda and La Rosa Inversa by Maria Attanasio. These exclusions reflect a competitive year for Italian narrative.

The finalists will now begin the “Strega Tour,” consisting of 19 stops across Italy and one international stop at the Italian Cultural Institute in Mexico City. The competition is likely to culminate in the final ceremony scheduled for July 8 at the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently leading the Premio Strega race?
Michele Mari is in the lead with 280 votes for his novel I convitati di pietra.

Why are there six finalists this year instead of five?
For the 80th anniversary edition, the prize expanded the shortlist to six to reflect a complex literary year; this is the tenth time this has occurred in the award’s history.

When will the final winner be announced?
The final is scheduled to take place on July 8 at the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome.

Which of these diverse themes—from Greek philosophy to the complexities of autism—do you find most compelling in modern literature?