The Salvatore Di Giacomo Prize: History and Curiosities
The Salvatore Di Giacomo Prize has become a prestigious summer event in Massa Lubrense. It is organized by the Pro Loco Due Golfi with the sponsorship of the Municipality of Massa Lubrense.
Salvatore Di Giacomo: a great neapolitan poet
Salvatore Di Giacomo was born in Naples in 1860. He began studying medicine at his father’s will, but soon abandoned that path to dedicate himself to literature and journalism. He made a name for himself as a poet, playwright, storyteller, and journalist. His fame is especially tied to Neapolitan dialect poetry and traditional songs. Some of his well‑known pieces are:
- Era de maggio
- Marechiare
- Palomma’ e notte
Salvatore Di Giacomo also wrote plays in neapolitan and Italian. In these works, he realistically depicted everyday life in Naples. His stories and novellas aimed to preserve local characters, traditions, and environments—contributing significantly to the city’s cultural memory.
Salvatore Di Giacomo in Sant’Agata
The poet spent many summers in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, where he was warmly welcomed by the community. He loved the fresh air and the excellent cuisine of “Don Alfonso”, grandfather of the current owner of the renowned restaurant “Don Alfonso 1890”.
He often took walks along the local trails, stopped for coffee at “Bar Orlando”, or enjoyed a pastry at “Bar Assunta”. Locals affectionately referred to him as “Don Salvatore” or simply “The Poet”. There were often evenings when the locals dedicated small concerts to him as a sign of gratitude.
After nearly twenty years of spending his summers there, Salvatore Di Giacomo left Sant’Agata for the last time in 1930. He passed away in 1934 after suffering a uricemia attack.
The creation of the Salvatore Di Giacomo Prize
Since 2001, Sant’Agata has honored his memory each year with a prize bearing his name, awarded to figures from the world of art and culture. A committee gets together to pick from different cultural, artistic, and entertainment figures who, over their careers, have had a connection with the work of the great Neapolitan poet. The award itself is a ceramic bas-relief depicting the poet in Sant’Agata’s main square, crafted by local artist Raffaele Mellino. The ceremony is surrounded by a variety of events, including: art exhibitions, guided excursions, literary talks, classical and traditional Neapolitan music concerts.
A cultural festival
Over the years, the event has grown into a multifaceted cultural festival. The program includes:
- The official award ceremony
- Live music and performances in the main square
- Meetings with authors and poets
- Guided tours to explore the area’s beauty through the lens of art and history
So, it’s not just an award — it’s a true cultural festival, engaging locals and visitors alike with a diverse program that blends entertainment with enrichment.
2025 Award Winners
The winners of this year are journalist Luciano Pignataro and actors Antonio Guerra and Christian Cervone.
Luciano Pignataro works for the newspaper Il Mattino as a journalist and he has a deep passion for food, wine, and Mediterranean culture. In 2004, he launched Luciano Pignataro Wine & Food Blog, which has become one of the most followed and authoritative food and wine blogs in Italy.
Antonio Guerra and Christian Cervone embody the vibrant face of Neapolitan cinema. Guerra starred in the film Napoli–New York, while Cervone played the lead role in Il treno dei bambini .
The Salvatore Di Giacomo Prize is more than a commemorative event. It is a living tribute that keeps the poet’s spirit alive by encouraging a passionate and artistic view of the present—just as he once did through his words.
