CATANIA 01/02/2026 – A debut beyond expectations for I Miti di Acqua e Fuoco, the literary prize promoted by Greenstone APS (@greenstoneweb on Instagram), a young Catania-based cultural association committed to promoting writing and emerging authors. The closing ceremony of the first edition took place on June 1st at LoStudio70, near Le Ciminiere, bringing together authors, readers, and art and culture enthusiasts.

 

The competition, open to the entire country and divided into poetry and fiction categories, was dedicated to the myths and legends of Sicily, with a particular focus on the traditions of the Etna area. This theme sparked interest beyond the organizers' expectations: over seventy participants and more than one hundred works were submitted in just a few weeks, with a diverse participation of authors of different ages, origins, and backgrounds, yet united by their interest in writing.

 

Alongside the significant presence of Sicilian contestants from Catania, Palermo, Messina, and Syracuse, authors from Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany, and Lazio also traveled. Several finalists chose to travel to Catania to attend the awards ceremony, while others followed the ceremony live via streaming. Among the section winners were Gaetano Lo Castro, Marco Monesi, Cecilia Donatella D’Aietti Rizzo, Giulia Trichini, Elena Foddai, Rosalba Mangialardi, Serena D’Avelli, and Maria Pelaia. Elena Foddai won the overall poetry prize, while Maria Pelaia took first place in fiction.

 

The initiative was made possible thanks to the work of Greenstone APS volunteers, led by President Danilo Caccamese, with the support of Alisa Semenovykh, Santina Ferlito, and other association collaborators, some present in Catania and others connected from various regions. An encouraging debut that demonstrates the interest in initiatives that unite local communities, memory, and new voices in contemporary literature.

~ I MITI DI ACQUA E FUOCO ~

RULES

This is a free literary competition, open to all emerging writers. It's a first step toward publication, a chance to meet industry experts, and gain recognition in the publishing and cultural scene. Below are the rules and forms for participating. Registration is open until April 23, 2026.