Michele Mari wins the 80th Premio Strega for 'I convitati di pietra' at Rome's Campidoglio
Michele Mari has won the 80th edition of Italy's most prestigious literary award, the Premio Strega, for his novel 'I convitati di pietra' (Einaudi), securing 190 votes from the 643 ballots cast at the ceremony in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio.
The winner
Michele Mari won the 80th Premio Strega on July 8, 2026, with his novel "I convitati di pietra", published by Einaudi. He received 190 votes from the 643 ballots cast, representing 80.4% of the 800 eligible jurors. The award was presented by Andrea D'Angelo, vice president of Strega Alberti Benevento, at a ceremony held for the first time in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio, instead of the usual Villa Giulia, to mark the anniversary.
The finalists
Mari led a shortlist of six. Matteo Nucci came second with "Platone. Una storia d'amore" (Feltrinelli) at 152 votes, followed by Bianca Pitzorno with "La sonnambula" (Bompiani) at 84. Alcide Pierantozzi ("Lo sbilico", Einaudi) took 78 votes, Teresa Ciabatti ("Donnaregina", Mondadori) 75, and Elena Rui ("Vedove di Camus", L'orma) 64. The vote count was overseen by Andrea Bajani, the 2024 winner.
- Michele Mari
- 190
- Matteo Nucci
- 152
- Bianca Pitzorno
- 84
- Alcide Pierantozzi
- 78
- Teresa Ciabatti
- 75
- Elena Rui
- 64
Ceremony and controversy
The evening, broadcast live on Rai 3 and hosted by Pino Strabioli and Gloria Campaner, was attended by culture minister Alessandro Giuli and Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri. The run-up had been marked by a reported dispute between Mari and Ciabatti over remarks Mari allegedly made about the late writer Michela Murgia. Ciabatti, presenting her book, paid tribute to Murgia's "tenacity and lack of fear". The controversy did not derail Mari's victory.
The book
"I convitati di pietra" follows a group of former high school classmates who, after graduation, make a "wretched pact": the last one alive wins a treasure. What begins as a joke turns into a ruthless survival competition, exposing the hidden drives within friendship. The novel, described as moving and playful, also questions whether each person's fate is already written.
Mari's speech
He also thanked his publisher Einaudi, his agent, Vittorio Lingiardi who proposed the book, and his wife and children, whom he invited on stage.I am very moved, very happy. I thank all the readers who supported me, and those who didn't, whom I met on this rather demanding tour, in places in Italy where I would never have gone, and even in Mexico.
