The courtyard of the Maschio Angioino in Naples hosted the 11th edition of the Premio Eccellenze del Sud, an award recognizing people and organizations connected with the Mezzogiorno across culture, the professions, art, research and business.

The 2026 edition was titled "L'edizione dell'Angelo" in memory of journalist and presenter Lorenza Licenziati, according to Il Mattino Napoli.

A dedication to Licenziati

Licenziati was remembered not only as the figure to whom the evening was dedicated, but as someone with a direct history with the award. She had presented an earlier edition of the Premio Eccellenze del Sud, a role documented in coverage of the award's tenth edition.

For this 11th edition, organizers created a specific recognition titled "Lorenza Licenziati, donna per il giornalismo, la tv e lo spettacolo." It was awarded to Cecilia Donadio, a journalist with Tgr Campania.

Recipients across research, craft and screen

The reported recipients reflect the award's broad scope:

  • Paolo Ascierto received the award in the research and medicine category.
  • The footwear company Melluso received recognition linked to traditional craftsmanship.
  • Actress Miriam Candurro was recognized for cinema and television fiction.

A complete list of recipients and categories for the 11th edition was not available in the acquired material, and Il Mattino's article is marked as reserved for premium subscribers, so further details may not have been accessible.

Background: the Terronian Project

The award developed within the Terronian Project and is promoted by the Terronian Association, with a stated focus on talent from Southern Italy.

That continuity is visible in the recent history of the event. The previous, tenth edition was held at Villa Signorini in Ercolano and was hosted by Luca Abete and Lorenza Licenziati.

The move to the Maschio Angioino for the 11th edition therefore paired a new setting — the courtyard of the Maschio Angioino in Naples — with a direct link to the prior edition through the tribute to Licenziati.

Why it matters for readers

For readers following Neapolitan cultural life, two points help place the evening in context.

First, the award is not limited to one sector. Its categories span research and medicine, artisanal business, journalism, television and acting, making it a cross-section of professional life associated with the South rather than a single-industry prize.

Second, the dedication gives this edition a memorial character. By naming both the edition — "L'edizione dell'Angelo" — and a journalism, television and entertainment prize after Licenziati, the organizers linked recognition of new recipients to acknowledgment of a presenter from the award's own recent history.