On Sunday, August 10, Piazza Eraclea in Policoro will host the fourteenth edition of the Heraclea Award, created by set designer Mario Carlo Garrambone and organized by the Lucania Storica – Novitalia association, chaired by Francesco Calderaro. The event, founded to highlight Lucanians who have distinguished themselves in Italy and abroad, has over time become an occasion to tell the story of Basilicata through the biographies of those who, while living far away, maintain a strong bond with their homeland.
The 2025 edition will honor ten prominent figures: singer-songwriter Arisa, journalist Antonella Pallante, manager Linda Albano, musician Giovanna D’Amato, researcher Patrizia Falabella, pastor of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York Don Luigi Portarulo, manager Francesco Carbone, comedian Dino Paradiso, surgeon Vito Cantisani, and karate champion Terryana D’Onofrio. A diverse group that reflects the variety of successful paths rooted in shared origins.
The award is named after the ancient city of Heraclea, a center of Magna Graecia located in the area of Policoro, a hub for cultural and commercial exchanges since the 4th century BC. The reference to this ancient history aims to highlight how Basilicata has, over the centuries, been a land of crossroads, cultural exchanges, and moving talents—a bridge between tradition and openness to the world. The award, crafted by master goldsmith Michele Affidato, is intended as a gesture of gratitude to those who, while building their careers elsewhere, remain connected to Basilicata.
The evening will be hosted by Savino Zaba and enriched with performances: a live show by Arisa, accompanied on piano by Giuseppe Barbera, and performances by Mirko Gisonte and Luca Rossi, one of the most renowned interpreters of the frame drum. There will also be Dino Paradiso’s comedy act, dance by Lucrezia Brancati, and two fashion shows featuring creations by Anna Calviello and Pansardi Sposa, as well as a hair styling segment by Low Cost by Salcuno.
In the run-up to the ceremony, on August 8 and 9, there will be a group art exhibition curated by Maria De Lorenzo, featuring works by artists such as Giulio Orioli, Nino Oriolo, Sabrina Pugliese, Alessia Pica, Angela Lapadula, Pasquale Chiurazzi, Vincenzo Cipriani, and Anita Fittipaldi. This preview underlines the award’s aim to be not only a recognition but also an opportunity for encounters and exchange among different art forms.
The Heraclea Award enjoys the patronage of the European Commission and the support of institutions and private partners such as the Basilicata Region, APT Basilicata, ENI, and the Municipality of Policoro. The event will be broadcast live worldwide on TRM H24, bringing the story of a creative and enterprising Basilicata to Lucanian communities around the globe. An evening that, in addition to celebrating achievement, renews the idea of a region recognized for the quality and passion of its people.
