Michele Mari Wins 2026 Strega Prize Amid Controversy

Michele Mari has won the 2026 Strega Prize, Italy's most prestigious literary award, for his novel "I convitati di pietra" published by Einaudi. The Milanese author secured 190 votes in the final round, defeating Matteo Nucci (152 votes for "Platone. Una storia d'amore") and Bianca Pitzorno (84 votes for "La sonnambula"). The victory came after a turbulent period marked by controversy over alleged remarks by Mari about the late writer Michela Murgia. The polemic erupted during the finalists' tour, dominating social media and news cycles, and temporarily shifted focus from the literary merits of the novel. Despite the media noise, the final vote tally was decisive, with Mari's margin of victory appearing more secure than the preceding weeks suggested. The Strega Prize, now in its 2026 edition, remains Italy's most closely watched literary award.