Edition 2023 - 2024

The third edition of the “La Grande Bellezza” Award invites artisans who reside in and work regularly in Italy to apply to submit works on the theme of “Souvenirs of the Grand Tour”, from December 1, 2023 to March 22, 2024.

Historically, Italy was a favorite destination for the Grand Tour and it remains the dream destination of tourists from all over the world, owing to its varied beauty and to its inimitable lifestyle. Visitors fall in love with its locations and want to take objects that keep memories alive and witness to the journey away with them.

The theme of the designer souvenir is of great interest and charm today also in the world of design and planning. Many outstanding Italian artisanal workshops create souvenir items that take inspiration from local traditions and interpret them in a new way with contemporary techniques and tastes. Among the best-known examples are the cachepots in the shape of decorated heads typical of southern Italy, the Roman micromosaics that tourists have loved since the 18th century, the whistles widespread in southern Italy and Veneto, the blown glass figures of the Murano repertoire, the typical rowlocks of Venetian gondolas, the Sardinian lucky horse charms, the little good-luck horns, the nativity scenes, the typical ceramics of the various artisanal areas, the coffee cups, the snow globes, the miniatures of Italian monuments, and all the many souvenirs and lucky charms in every region of Italy in their thousand different forms.

There’s a great variety of types of objects linked to the traditions of the areas, which can inspire captivating, stimulating contemporary reworkings. All techniques and materials are allowed, provided that the workmanship is strictly or predominantly manual, according to the criteria and methods of artisanal excellence, and that the theme is observed, though this may be interpreted freely and personally.

The work must be freely created, contemporary and original. It is not required that the work be created from scratch. A special panel comprising some very authoritative names and chaired by Starhotels will identify the 10 finalists and the winner, who will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euros.

For more information

you can contact (from Monday to Friday, from 2 pm to 5 pm)

The organizing Secretary of the Award

Martina Antoniucci

premiolagrandebellezza@starhotels.it

055 221908