Founded in 2007 in honor of the Central European novelist and memoirist, the Premio Gregor von Rezzori – Città di Firenze was initially held in the monastery of Vallombrosa. After immediate success, it moved to Florence in 2010 to become the cornerstone of the Festival degli Scrittori. 

The prize is awarded for the best work of foreign fiction published in Italy within the last year by an international jury.The Festival degli Scrittori is Florence’s first and only literary festival, which aims to provide an international forum for writers and the Italian public to meet and discuss literature and the world of ideas. It showcases the most prominent contemporary writing, via readings, roundtable discussions and theatrical recitals in prestigious venues throughout the city.

The festival opens with the lectio magistralis, presented by an renowned international writer on a subject relevant to them. Following on from Claudio Magris, John Banville, Carlos Fuentes, Michael Cunningham, Zadie Smith, Michael Ondaatje, Patrick McGrath, Emmanuel Carrère, Jhumpa Lahiri, Etgar Keret, Dany LaFerrière and Margaret Atwood this year the festival will host Colm Tóibín.