Fire on the Mountain is the novel that has won the fourth edition of the international literary prize organized by “Tomasi Lampedusa” Institution and sponsored by Donnafugata

Nicola Piovani and his music will be honored guests at the award ceremony

Marsala, August 1, 2006—The 2006 Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa international literary prize, named for the Sicilian writer and now in its fourth edition, went  to Indian writer Anita Desai for her novel Fire On the Mountain published in Italy by Einaudi.

“I was truly delighted with the jury’s decision”, said José Rallo, owner of Donnafugata, which sponsors the prize, “because Desai is an author who gives us books of great intensity in which reflection on the female condition and woman’s plight in every time and place is dealt with originally and authentically.”

This is the first time that a woman has won the “Tomasi,” entering the golden registry of the literary prize dedicated to the author of the Gattopardo (The Leopard) and sponsored since its first edition in 2003 by Donnafugata. Previous winners were Israeli Abrahm Yehosua, Moroccan Tahar Ben Jelloun and Italian Claudio Magris.

“The Giuseppe Tomasi award for literature,” Rallo added, “has become a meaningful part of cultural promotion for Sicily and its territory. The keystone of its success can be traced back to the history of Belìce, also recounted in the Gattopardo, and in bringing together public and private resources and people to relaunch an area that, while internal and rural, has development potential in which Donnafugata has always believed.”

The award ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 6, at Palazzo Filangeri di Cutò in the town of Santa Margherita di Belìce, and emceed by journalist Rosanna Cancellieri. The guest of honor will be composer and musician Nicola Piovani, creator of the sound tracks for top Italian film directors and winner of an Oscar for Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful. He will also perform, creating a cultural bridge between the Sicily of the Gattopardo and the India recounted by Anita Desai.

Baldo M. Palermo [email protected]  phone +39 0923 724226

Laura Ellwanger: [email protected] phone. +39 0923 724258

Nando Calaciura [email protected]  mob. +39 338 3229837