THE H.C. ANDERSEN AWARD-BAY OF TALES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967 AND, DURING THE PAST YEARS, IT HAS CONFIRMED HIMSELF AS A REFERENCE FOR CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH LITERATURE. FOR 24 YEARS, THE AWARD HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY THE ANDERSEN FESTIVAL, WHICH IS ANIMATED BY AMAZING SHOWS AND IMPORTANT CULTURAL PERSONALITIES.
FOR THE PAST 54 YEARS, THE AWARD HAS DISCOVERED YOUNG AUTHORS, ADOLESCENTS AND OLDER, THANKS TO A FORMAT WHICH IS RENOVATING ITS VALIDITY. IN THESE YEARS, YOUNG WRITERS AND AFFIRMED AUTHORS HAVE PARTICIPATED TO THE AWARD, INCREASING ITS VALUE. THE AWARD IS INSPIRED BY THE DANISH WRITER WHO, DURING HIS TRAVELS IN LIGURIA, DISCOVERED THE BAY OF SESTRI LEVANTE AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PLACE. DURING THE LAST 54 YEARS, VARIOUS AND IMPORTANT WRITERS HAVE PARTICIPATED TO THE AWARD: ARTURO BRACHETTI, PEPPINO DE FILIPPO, ITALO CALVINO, TONINO CONTE, EMANUELE LUZZATI, ALBERTO MORAVIA, MARIO SOLDATI, MARIA LUISA SPAZIANI, GUIDO STAGNARO AND SERGIO ZAVOLI.
THE JURY HAD TO SELECT AMONG A GROWING NUMBER OF WORKS DURING THE LAST EDITIONS, WHICH IS BEYOND 1000 IN THE LAST YEARS. THE PECULIARITY OF THE AWARD IS THE PRESENCE OF THESE CATEGORIES: ADULTS - FOR PEOPLE OLDER THAN 17 - YOUTH - FROM 11 TO 16 - CHILDHOOD - FROM 6 TO 10 - PRESCHOOL - FROM 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD - A SECTION DEDICATED TO GRAPHIC NOVEL AND A SECTION DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL WRITERS. THE EVENT HAS AN INTERNATIONAL NATURE AND THAT’S WHY FOREIGN AUTHORS CAN PARTICIPATE TO THE CONTEST TOO.
THE 1ST PRIZE IS DEDICATED TO THE CREATOR OF THE AWARD, THE PROFESSOR DAVID BIXIO. THE PRESIDENT OF THE JURY IS THE WRITER AND JOURNALIST LIDIA RAVERA.