Marcello Fois wins the 64th Campiello Prize for L'immensa distrazione

Marcello Fois has won the prestigious 64th edition of the Campiello Prize with his novel *L'immensa distrazione*, published by Giulio Einaudi Editore, securing victory by an exceptionally tight margin in a fierce literary contest. Promoted and managed by the Fondazione Il Campiello – Confindustria Veneto, the contemporary Italian fiction competition reached its climax at a historic new venue for the final ceremony, shifting proceedings to the Palazzo della Mostra del Cinema on the Venice Lido as reported by Jiji Press.

The winner of the iconic well-head symbol, known as the vera da pozzo, was decided by the distinctive Jury of Three Hundred Anonymous Readers. According to Rai News, this unique voting body comprised a diverse mix of professions and backgrounds, including workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, students, and homemakers, with names kept strictly confidential to safeguard the independence of the judging process. Out of 282 actual voters who cast ballots, Fois triumphed with 83 preferences.

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The race was marked by an intense showdown between two stablemates from the same publisher. Il Giornale noted the fierce contest right up to the final minute between the top two contenders from Einaudi, as Fois narrowly fended off Alcide Pierantozzi.

Set against the backdrop of the twentieth century, Fois's winning novel traces the sprawling saga of the Manfredini family, an Emilian dynasty that builds an industrial empire from a humble slaughterhouse. Centered on Ettore Manfredini, who embarks on a retrospective journey through his memories immediately following his death, the narrative weaves personal history with the sweeping trials of the past, encompassing wartime trauma, racial laws, and human ambition.

Accepting the prize, Fois reflected on his career in literature.

"Writing this novel was like taking stock of everything, figuring out where I stand, where I’m at, realising that writing is an incredibly difficult craft, that there’s a difference between writers and those who publish, and that there’s so much to say, so much gratitude for this world"

Marcello Fois, Author, via En.ilsole24ore.com

"First of all, I want to thank someone who is no longer with us, but who is still with me; she was a beautiful woman, anything but bitter, and very resilient: her name was Michela Murgia"

Marcello Fois, Author, via En.ilsole24ore.com

Fois further drew attention to literary heritage by invoking the legacy of Grazia Deledda, noting that he was born near her former home and lamenting that her historical contributions and centenary had been overlooked in contemporary school curricula. The ceremony also celebrated several other major literary achievements across different categories.

Raffaele Boscaini, President of the Fondazione Il Campiello and Confindustria Veneto, emphasized the deep ties between commerce and creativity during the gala. Pointing to the venue's cinematic significance, Boscaini highlighted that roughly a third of past Campiello works have successfully transitioned to film, proving that compelling narratives continually discover fresh mediums to reach audiences.

The glittering ceremony, presented alongside a parterre of over nine hundred institutional and literary guests, is scheduled to reach wider audiences through television programming. Fans of contemporary Italian literature can watch the televised broadcast on Sky Arte.