The Masi Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 43rd Masi Prize, which has recognised national and international personalities who are highly representative for the civilization and culture since 1981. The Civiltà Veneta Prize is awarded to entrepreneur Riccardo Illy from Trieste; sculptor Arcangelo Sassolino from Vicenza; and environmental activist and writer Sara Segantin, originally from the province of Trento. The International Civiltà del Vino Prize goes to Donatella Cinelli Colombini, a Tuscan wine producer and pioneer of cultural movements in the wine field. Finally, the Grosso D’Oro Veneziano is awarded to Opera Don Calabria, a ‘multinational corporation of good works’ born in Verona and now active on five continents.
The unifying theme of the 2024 edition is “The Virtuous Circle of Beauty,” which highlights the search for harmony and humanity as a counterpoint to the extreme and sterile specialization and compartmentalization of an increasingly technological world. In other words: the search for and creation of Beauty to enable man, with all his particular values, needs and aspirations, to maintain a centrality in the face of progress and technology, while recognizing that they are indispensable resources in the service of humanity.
On Friday 25 October 2024, after the Amarone Cask Signing Ceremony, the symbolic heart of the Masi Prize held at the historic Masi wineries, the Awards Ceremony will continue in the new multifunctional Monteleone21 complex in Gargagnago di Valpolicella, whose construction is being finalized now. The event will be accompanied by a live debate with the prize-winners themselves moderated by journalist Alessandro Milan. The event will be broadcast by TeleArena on Sunday 27 October at 9.15 p.m. in prime time
“Beauty is not only an aesthetic quality, but also a fundamental civic value that unites us and helps us keep our humanity alive in the face of the challenges of progress.Through the Masi Award, this year we celebrate those who contribute to building a virtuous circle, where harmony, sustainability and beauty, in the Veneto and around the world, become a tool of inspiration and improvement for all generations”.
CITATIONS FOR 43RD MASI PRIZE
Masi Civiltà veneta Award
Recognition for personalities – Venetian by birth, family or adoption – who have distinguished themselves in the fields of literature, art, journalism, science, entertainment and business, and who have promoted and enhanced the abilities of the Venetian people in the widest fields of human activity in the course of their work, making themselves the flag bearers for the fundamental values of the land shaped by the Serenissima Republic of Venice and its millenary civilization.
Riccardo Illy (Triestine entrepreneur)
In recognition of his contribution to the excellence of the Illy product and the brand’s global contribution to the combination of the Good and the Beautiful. His extraordinary commitment and entrepreneurial vision that is both aesthetic and cultural is shown in the Polo del Gusto and the Illy Art Collection where beauty, sustainability and quality are harmoniously intertwined.
Archangelo Sassolino (Sculptor from Vicenza)
In recognition of his research and work linking artistic Beauty expressed by materials and their intrinsic characteristics, mechanics and technologies. His art, which looks to the future, transforms culture into a field of intense and continuous reflection.
Sara Segantin (Environmentalist and writer from Trentino)
For her commitment, publications, and collaborations that mean she perfectly expresses the Beautiful and the Good in nature, with attention to the sustainability and the “justice climate” necessary for its preservation. A refined sensitivity enables her to perceive not only Beauty but also the fragility of the world and its repercussions on humanity.
Masi International Civiltà del Vino Prize
Dedicated to the wider world of winemaking honouring the most emblematic personalities who have contributed to the enhancement of the ancient culture of vines and wine at an international level.
Donatella Cinelli Colombini
For her work as a wine producer, promoter and populariser of wine and winemaking through the enhancement of the beauty of the land, as well as being a leading figure in wine tourism through ventures such as the Wine Tourism Movement and Cantine Aperte. And also for her passionate advocacy of the Association of Women of Wine and establishment of an ‘all-female winery’ with Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino.
Masi International Grosso d’Oro Veneziano Prize
For personalities who have contributed to spreading a message of culture in the wider world, generating that understanding among peoples that develops into solidarity, civil progress and peace.
Opera Don Calabria
The bearer of the simplicity and charisma of its sainted founder, this organisation carries out its social and humanitarian, medical and pastoral initiatives with great sensitivity in its regard for human marginalization, distress and health of body and soul. It transforms pain into hope and dignity and makes tangible the beauty of solidarity with its commitment to the common good; for this reason, it can be defined as a “multinational corporation of good works,” present as it is in the five continents where it speaks Italian and represents the pride of Verona and the nation as a whole.
