AL VIA LA X EDIZIONE DEL PREMIO VIRTÙ E CONOSCENZA: APERTE LE CANDIDATURE PER CELEBRARE L’ESTRO E IL GENIO DEL MEDITERRANEO

**STARTING THE 10TH EDITION OF THE “VIRTUE AND KNOWLEDGE” AWARD: APPLICATIONS OPEN TO CELEBRATE THE INGENUITY AND GENIUS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN**

“Consider your seed: you were not made to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.” (Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, Inferno, Canto XXVI, vv. 118-120)
It is in the famous lines of Dante’s Ulysses that the deepest essence and native inspiration of the High Recognition “Virtue and Knowledge” resides. An eternal warning that ideally unites the shores of our sea and returns to guide the celebration of those personalities who, with their ingenuity and meritorious work, have honored the land of Salento and the entire Mediterranean basin.
[Link to video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rovQ0Cttw18)

PORTO CESAREO (LE) – Ten years of culture, social commitment, and the enhancement of one's roots. The Social Promotion Association “MediterraneaMente,” in agreement with the Municipality of Porto Cesareo and the University of Salento, officially announces the opening of applications for the 10th edition of the High Recognition “VIRTUE AND KNOWLEDGE.”
This is not only a celebration of talent but a manifesto of values: the event actively promotes peace, human rights, gender equality, intercultural integration, and environmental protection.

THE SIX SECTIONS OF THE AWARD: The award, aimed at living individuals (by birth or descent up to the 3rd degree) or in memory, is divided into six specific categories:
A) Scalo di Furno: Reserved for personalities from the Terra d’Arneo.
B) Messapia: Dedicated to figures of Salentine origin.
C) Japigia: Directed at excellence of Apulian origin.
D) Mare Nostrum: Awarded to two personalities from Mediterranean countries (including states historically and culturally connected such as Portugal, Andorra, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Jordan).
E) Ebe: The award for young talents (under 35) of Italian or Mediterranean origin.
F) In Memory: To remember a figure no longer alive of Mediterranean origin.
In addition to these categories, there is the Special Award "Mare Nostrum," conferred directly by the Organizer to individuals who have distinguished themselves as exemplary role models for new generations.

HOW TO NOMINATE AN EXCELLENCE: The "Virtue and Knowledge" Award is a participatory event. Nominations can be submitted by public and non-profit private entities (Associations, Schools, Universities, Municipalities, Embassies) as well as by individual citizens, provided that the proposal is accompanied by at least 10 signatures.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Applications, accompanied by a biography/presentation of the candidate (max 3,000 characters or a video of max 4 minutes), must be sent to the secretariat of the MediterraneaMente Association by no later than Saturday, October 10, 2026, via closed envelope, regular email, or PEC.

AN EXCEPTIONAL JURY AND A RECALL TO HISTORY: The proposals will initially be reviewed by a Selection Jury chaired by the Mayor of Porto Cesareo. The finalists will then be examined by the prestigious Technical-Scientific Jury, chaired by Avv. Filomena D’ANTINI (National Equal Opportunities Advisor – Ministry of Labor and Social Policies) and composed of the highest academic, military, ecclesiastical, and political authorities of the territory.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Lele SPEDICATO (Co-founder and Guitarist of NEGRAMARO)

The winners will be awarded during the evocative GALA CEREMONY, which will be held on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026, AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER OF THE ECOTEKNE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SALENTO. The awarded prize carries significant symbolic value: a reproduction of the god Thoth (Egyptian deity of science and wisdom, dating back to the 4th century BC), a statuette found in Porto Cesareo in 1932 and now housed at the MArTA in Taranto.
For Info, Forms, and Contacts

THE COMPLETE REGULATIONS AND APPLICATION FORMS can be downloaded from the official website: www.virtueconoscenza.com; Organizational Secretariat: Tel. 349.1045425 – 328.7679725 – 389.5550080
E-mail: mediterraneamente.aps@gmail.com; PEC: mediterraneamente.aps@pec.it
Web: www.virtueconoscenza.com