Italy: RSF honoured with the Grosso d’Oro Veneziano at the 45th Masi Prize ceremony in Valpolicella

The theme of this year's Masi Prize was "the courage of responsibility", as described by Isabella Bossi Fedrigotti, writer and President of the Masi Foundation, and Sandro Boscaini, President of Masi Agricola and Vice-President of the Foundation. This theme invites reflection on the role of individuals and institutions in responding to the transformations shaping our world at a time when geopolitical and social balances are increasingly called into question.

The prize is a gold replica of the Grosso d'Oro, a coin minted by the Republic of Venice in the late 14th century. The coin remained in circulation for several centuries across a vast area extending beyond the territories of the Republic of Venice into Central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. It thus symbolises a spirit of constructive exchange between peoples, founded on openness and inclusion.

RSF was presented with the Grosso d'Oro Veneziano by Marco Vigevani, Secretary of the Masi Foundation, and Massimo Mamoli, Director of L'Arena, a newspaper serving Verona and the surrounding province, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year. "In a world and an era in which the quality and independence of the press are increasingly threatened by political and economic powers, and hundreds of journalists are killed in the line of duty, RSF plays an indispensable role in defending freedom and democracy around the world," said the jury.

RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin took part in the traditional signing of a barrel of Amarone wine at Masi's historic cellars. He then attended the award ceremony, hosted by journalist Alessandro Milan, before a packed audience at Monteleone21 in Gargagnago di Valpolicella, in the province of Verona.

Past recipients of the Grosso d'Oro include Milan Kučan, the first President of the Republic of Slovenia, who served from 1991 to 2002; artist Marjane Satrapi; Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich; Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria; essayist Alain Finkielkraut; Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and political scientist Gilles Kepel.

RSF congratulates the four other recipients honoured at this year's ceremony. The Masi Civiltà Veneta Prize was awarded to Luigi Carlon, a Verona-born entrepreneur and collector who founded the city's Palazzo Maffei museum; Nello Cristianini, a scientist from Gorizia and professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Bath in England; and Adele Re Rebaudengo, representing the Venice Gardens Foundation, which promotes garden culture and green spaces in Venice. The international Masi Civiltà del Vino Prize went to David Khayat, a French oncologist and science writer, whose latest book, "Arrêtez de vous priver !" (Stop Depriving Yourself!), highlights the benefits of enjoying food and wine in moderation.

About the Masi Foundation

The Masi Foundation works to promote the Veneto region, its territory, people and cultural heritage, both in Italy and internationally. Established in 2001, the Foundation builds on two decades of experience gained through the Masi Prize, ensuring its continuity while developing new cultural initiatives. It has broadened its scope to include all those who draw inspiration from the values of Venetian civilisation as a driving force for economic, cultural and civic progress around the world. On 16 April 2007, the Veneto Region granted the Masi Foundation legal personality in recognition of its values and statutory objectives.

Website: www.fondazionemasi.com