Sirmione Awards Celebrate Renovated Palazzo and New Journalism Prize

In a festive setting, following the inauguration of the renovated Palazzo dei Congressi in Sirmione, the awards ceremony for the first winners of the new, also refurbished and updated, Catullian prize was held Saturday evening. This award is considered the 19th edition of the Premio Sirmione Catullo.

Officially opening the event with mayor Maurizio Ferrari officiating the ribbon-cutting ceremony were journalist and television presenter Carmen Lasorella; beside her the Provincia president, Alberto Cavalli, Bruno Vespa, and Alessandro Azzi, president of the Banca di Credito Cooperativo Colli Morenici del Garda.

Award Ceremony and Juries

The nominations for the television section, based on votes from 100 residents of Sirmione, were shared equally by Licia Colò, for the program “Alle falde del Kilimangiaro” on Rai Tre, and Alessandro Cecchi Paone with “Macchina del tempo” on Retequattro.

This award, through its transformation, broadened its horizons, shifting in type from books to journalism, in this case television journalism.

Adding a European dimension to the event is the section dedicated to the European press, whose jury, presided over by Bruno Vespa and composed of the directors of newspapers interested in Garda, awarded the Daily Telegraph.

The director of Daily Telegraph, Charles Moore, collected the prize in Sirmione.

Speeches and Motivations

Bruno Vespa, journalist and host of “Porta a porta,” explained in his speech why certain changes were made to the literary prize “Catullo,” transforming it into a journalism award.

“We wanted to see how Italy is viewed by major foreign newspapers —” Vespa stated — “and with what level of commitment, seriousness, and capacity for learning.”