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Giulia Ceccutti Wins 7th Literary Prize

The Italian Embassy awarded the author for her work on interfaith dialogue during the Week of the Italian Language.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Italian Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of two stone paths through an olive grove, representing the interfaith dialogue of a shared community.
Author Giulia Ceccutti was awarded the 7th Literary Prize by the Italian Embassy for her book examining interfaith dialogue in Neve Shalom. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Italian Embassy and the EU Delegation have presented the 7th Literary Prize to author Giulia Ceccutti at Palazzo Borromeo. The award honors her book about the village of Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam, a community where Jews and Palestinians have lived together for over five decades.

Why it matters

The prize highlights the role of the Italian language in fostering interfaith dialogue and diplomatic communication within the Catholic Church. It specifically recognizes works that explore church history and values.

The 7th Literary Prize coincides with the 26th annual Week of the Italian Language in the World. The winning book focuses on the village of Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam, which was founded more than 50 years ago.

The players

Giulia Ceccutti

She is the author of Respirare il futuro, which explores the coexistence of Jewish and Palestinian residents in a shared village.

Andrea Angeli

A journalist who won the sixth iteration of the Literary Prize in 2025 and passed away in September 2026.

The details

Giulia Ceccutti received the honor for her book, Respirare il futuro - La sfida di Neve Shalom e Wahat al-Salam. The work examines the shared life between Jewish and Palestinian residents in the village located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Timeline

  1. The village of Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam was founded in 1976 or earlier.

  2. The Literary Prize was established in 2020.

  3. Andrea Angeli won the sixth Literary Prize in 2025.

  4. Journalist Andrea Angeli died on September 2, 2026.

  5. The 7th Literary Prize ceremony took place in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This literary award ceremony serves as a cornerstone event for the broader 26th annual Week of the Italian Language in the World initiative. It reflects a growing institutional focus on using language as a diplomatic tool to bridge historical divides between different faith communities.

Readers interested in international literature or interfaith dialogue can engage with the themes of the book by exploring resources on the history of Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam. The award highlights the accessibility of contemporary Italian writing focused on complex, real-world human dynamics.

The takeaway

This award underscores the enduring importance of language in documenting and promoting coexistence in divided regions. Aspiring writers can look to such themes to bridge cultural gaps through storytelling.

Further reading

Discover more about cultural exchanges in our Italian Food section.