We had the pleasure of speaking with Claudio Pagliara, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in New York, about SuperBook—an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting Italian literature in the United States. The event will take place from March 26 to 29, 2026, at the Institute, and will feature eight Italian authors, winners of some of the most prestigious national literary awards of the past year, competing for a $10,000 prize intended to support the translation of their work into English and its promotion in the U.S.
The winning work, to be announced in September, will be selected by a jury chaired by conductor Daniele Rustioni, recently appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Metropolitan Opera—one of the most prestigious positions in the international opera scene.
Director Pagliara, what exactly is SuperBook, explained briefly for those short on time?
SuperBook was conceived as a “prize of prizes,” the true “Super Bowl of books.” Our initiative brings together the winners of the most prestigious Italian literary awards from the previous year and submits them to the judgment of a distinguished American jury. The primary goal is to give these works international visibility and assess their appeal to the U.S. audience.
Is this initiative more of a provocation or a strategic vision?
It is undoubtedly a strategic vision. Countries like France and Germany have already implemented similar initiatives successfully. Italy, unfortunately, is lagging behind, with only about 3% of its literary production translated and distributed in the United States. SuperBook aims to bridge this gap, increasing our cultural competitiveness and presence in the American market, while laying the groundwork for a more structured ecosystem for Italian literature.
How difficult is it today to introduce Italian fiction into the U.S. market?
The main challenge lies in marketing. It is essential to invest more and adopt targeted strategies—something that has not been done adequately so far. We are confident that SuperBook will achieve strong results; proof of this is the significant attention it is already receiving in the American press, even more than in the Italian press, which was precisely our objective.
Is the jury focused on selecting the best book overall, or the one with the greatest potential for success in the American market?
New Yorkers, like many Americans, know and love Italy for its art cities and cultural heritage. However, there is a gap in literary exchange: Italians often bring a great American novel with them when they travel, but the reverse is not always true. SuperBook aims to fill this gap by offering a unique opportunity to discover contemporary authors and works. To ensure maximum accessibility, all events will feature simultaneous translation, making them accessible even to those who do not speak Italian.
Is SuperBook conceived as a one-off event or as the starting point for something broader?
SuperBook is the beginning of a much broader journey. It is supported by strong institutional backing, including the Center for Books and Reading, the patronage of the Turin International Book Fair and the Italian Publishers Association, as well as partnerships with numerous universities and consulates. It is the first in a series of annual awards, with the ambition of building a true ecosystem that facilitates the entry and success of Italian literature in the American market, as it deserves.
Looking five years ahead, what do you hope people will say about SuperBook?
My hope is that, in four or five years, we will be able to say that we have significantly increased the percentage of Italian books translated into English and successfully received in the United States. The market is ready for this evolution, as demonstrated by the “Ferrante case,” which reignited interest in Italian literature. I firmly believe that SuperBook can become the true “Super Bowl of literature” for our country.
