The event

Guido Carli Prize, a celebration of those who are not indifferent

The initiative, promoted by the Foundation chaired by Romana Liuzzo in memory of the statesman who was Governor of the Bank of Italia and Minister of the Treasury, was awarded the Medal of the President of the Republic

8 May 2026

NICO ACAMPORA, PIZZAUT CON I RAGAZZI DI PIZZAUT XVII EDIZIONE PREMIO GUIDO CARLI. ARRIVI 7146

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

A celebration of ethical success, with a common thread: social commitment. On the stage of the 17th edition of the Guido Carli Prize, in the Sala Sinopoli of the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, Italian excellences, from economics to fashion, from cinema to music, together with courageous figures who have dedicated themselves to the last. The initiative, promoted by the Guido Carli Foundation chaired by Romana Liuzzo in memory of the statesman who was Governor of the Bank of Italia and Minister of the Treasury, was awarded the Medal of the President of the Republic. After Liuzzo's opening greeting, the video-intervention by European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, the video-message by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the letter by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, the ceremony was opened by Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

This year's awardees are: Niccolò Branca, President and CEO of Gruppo Branca International, who turned 180 years old; Riccardo Cocciante, a protagonist of the world music scene; Don Antonio Coluccia, who has been under police protection for years for his fight against crime and addiction in the San Basilio district of Rome; Lorella Cuccarini, a star of show business for forty years; journalist and TV presenter Francesca Fagnani; Mario Faro, CEO of Vivaio Piante Faro; actress Anna Ferzetti, fresh from the successes of 'La grazia' and 'Domani interrogo'; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO Fincantieri; Commander General of the Carabinieri Salvatore Luongo; Giuseppe Marsocci, CEO Armani Group; Renato Mazzoncini, CEO and General Manager A2A, a multi-utility engaged in complex energy and environmental transformation processes; Antonio and Nadia Santini, at the helm of the starred restaurant Dal Pescatore.

"The battle against indifference is at the heart of the 17th edition of the Guido Carli Prize," emphasised Romana Liuzzo. "By recognising the value of those who sow hope, from institutions to enterprises, from culture to entertainment, we pay tribute to the combination of talent and attention to the last. Carli taught us: there is no progress if someone is left behind'.

"The Guido Carli Prize does something essential," explained European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, "It reminds us that behind policies there are people, that the economy needs a soul, as Carli said, and that that soul is built with daily choices of responsibility, courage and restitution.

'Security,' said Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, 'also stems from the quality of relations, from the ability of institutions to be close to citizens, especially in places where loneliness and degradation risk turning into new vulnerabilities. It is in this spirit that the project launched in San Basilio is part of the collaboration between the Ministry of the Interior, the Prefecture of Rome, the Guido Carli Foundation and Don Antonio Coluccia. The creation of the Agora della Gentilezza (Kindness Agora) with the planting of olive trees in Piazza Aldo Bozzi is not only an urban regeneration project. It is a symbolic but also tangible sign of the presence of the State'.

"The figure of Guido Carli continues to represent a solid and concrete point of reference. A protagonist of decisive choices for Italia, including the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, he has made a decisive contribution to our country's European path, inspiring a vision of a State based on the balance between rigour and development,' writes Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.

Opening the award ceremony, the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, thanked the Fondazione Carli 'because it renews Carli's legacy through the valorisation of our national community, of the figures who have been able to accompany talent and success with the ability to feel part of the community itself, to help growth and development while keeping an eye on the most fragile, to set high goals without leaving anyone behind'.

The ceremony was hosted by journalist Veronica Gentili. The young singer-songwriter and actor Leo Gassmann gave a live performance with the song 'Naturale' brought to Sanremo.

The honours were awarded by the Guido Carli Prize Jury, composed of: Nico Acampora, Founder PizzAut; Ornella Barra, President The Boots Group; Domitilla Benigni, Ceo&Coo Elettronica; Urbano Cairo, President Cairo Communication and Rcs; Gino Cecchettin, Giulia Cecchettin Foundation; Francesco Cerea, General Manager Da Vittorio; Claudio Descalzi, CEO Eni; Debora Paglieri, CEO Paglieri SpA; Claudia Parzani, President Borsa Italiana; Paolo Perrone, President IPZS; Ettore Prandini, President Coldiretti; Stefano Sala, President and CEO Publitalia '80; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman MSC Cruises.

In the audience were 1,500 guests, including the Prefect of Rome Lamberto Giannini, the Questore of Rome Roberto Massucci, the Ambassador of Italia to the Holy See Francesco Di Nitto and Pasquale Terracciano, former Ambassador to Russia. In attendance were entrepreneurs such as Stefano Pessina; Maria Elena Boschi, head of the Italia Viva group in the Chamber of Deputies; well-known faces such as journalist Costanza Calabrese, actress Claudia Gerini with her partner, manager Riccardo Sangiuliano, and presenter Eleonora Daniele; former award-winners such as Father Paolo Benanti, President of the Government Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and Roberto Bezzi, President of San Patrignano Società Cooperativa Agricola. For the press, TG1 Director Gian Marco Chiocci, La7 Director Enrico Mentana, Messaggero Director Roberto Napoletano, Adnkronos Director Davide Desario, Milano Finanza Director Roberto Sommella, Formiche.net Director Valeria Covato.

Many young people also took part in the evening: youngsters from PizzAut and the Palestra della Legalità in San Basilio; delegations from the Carabinieri and State Police schools; students from Luiss and the Villa Flaminia Institute in Rome.