The Premio Strega was established in 1947, at a time when Italy was still deeply scarred by the aftermath of World War II. The idea for the award had already begun to take shape in 1944, in the Roman living room of writer and historian Maria Bellonci and her husband Goffredo. There, journalists, intellectuals, artists, and friends regularly gathered to discuss culture, literature, and the rebuilding of a democratic consciousness. These conversations, held in the midst of a war-torn present, laid the foundation for a prize that was meant to be more than just an award: a literary manifesto for renewal and dialogue.

Maria Bellonci, known for her historical novels, firmly believed that literature should not be the exclusive domain of a cultural elite. She envisioned an open, vibrant literary landscape, one that welcomed diverse voices and reflected societal change. From this vision arose a prize in which not only professional critics would have a say, but also a broad circle of culturally engaged individuals known as the “Amici della Domenica” (Sunday Friends), named after the literary Sunday gatherings held at the Bellonci home.

Since then, the Premio Strega has steadily grown in significance, diversity, and international reach. The voting body has expanded to include not only authors and publishers, but also translators, scholars, booksellers, students, and readers from schools and universities, as well as representatives from abroad.

Today, the Premio Strega is far more than just a literary prize: it is a reflection of Italy’s cultural landscape, a mirror of contemporary themes, trends, and social changes, and a living legacy of Maria Bellonci’s humanistic ideal of literature and life as inseparable forces.