The First Israeli Poet to Receive the Prestigious European Excellence Award “Tra le parole e l’infinito” in Italy
A remarkable international achievement for Israeli literature and culture: Israeli poet, writer, editor, and translator Iris Calif has been awarded the prestigious European Excellence Award in Italy — The Grand Award to Excellence – “Tra le parole e l’infinito” (“Between Words and Infinity”) — as part of the international award Premio alle Eccellenze Europee · Gran Premio al Merito Internazionale.
This distinguished recognition honors Iris Calif for her unique poetic voice, her exceptional literary creation, and her contribution to cultural dialogue between nations and peoples through poetry, translation, and international cultural activity.
Iris Calif is the first Israeli writer officially recognized with this prestigious award during its 27-year history since its establishment in 2000. Her achievement represents a significant milestone for Israeli culture, granting international recognition to Hebrew poetry and strengthening the presence of Israeli literary creation on the global cultural stage.
The founder of the award, Cav. Nicola Paone, stated:
"Iris Calif, you are the first Israeli writer in the history of the Prize to receive such a prestigious award."
This historic achievement places Iris Calif among writers, poets, and cultural figures from around the world whose work reflects the power of literature and art to connect people, cultures, and traditions.
A Unique Poetic Voice Connecting Spirit, Humanity, and Cultures
Iris Calif’s poetry is distinguished by profound emotional and spiritual depth, an original poetic language, and a rare ability to create a dialogue between the human experience, nature, the divine, and universal values of love, harmony, hope, and compassion.
Her work presents a unique Israeli poetic voice that transcends geographical and linguistic borders. Through her poems, translations, and cultural initiatives, Calif promotes a vision of literature as a bridge between peoples — a meeting place of humanity, creativity, and shared values.
Her literary work has received international recognition through numerous awards and honors, including:
The Grand Award to Excellence – “Tra le parole e l’infinito” (Italy, 2026) — becoming the first Israeli writer to receive this prestigious recognition.
The City of Galateo – Antonio De Ferraris Special Excellence Award (Italy, 2024) for her poem “Angel of Life.”
The Best International Poet Award 2023 awarded by IPTRC–CHINH (China).
Recognition in the international Friedrich Schiller Literary Competition (Germany, 2025) for her poem “Bride of the Desert.”
The International Literary Award “The Great Poets of the World” (Greece–Mexico, 2026).
Her poetry has been translated into numerous languages, including Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Bengali, Turkish, Nepali, Assamese, and Albanian. Her poems and translations have been published in literary journals, international anthologies, cultural magazines, and artistic platforms worldwide.
Through her writing and cultural work, Iris Calif continues to bring a distinctive Israeli voice to world literature — a voice that unites poetry, spirituality, humanity, and a vision of universal connection among cultures.
The Award Ceremony in Naples – A Celebration of Literature, Art, and Culture
The award ceremony will take place on 31 October 2026 as part of a prestigious gala evening at the historic Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri in Naples, Italy, one of the city’s important cultural institutions.
The museum, located in the Renaissance palace Palazzo Como, preserves rare art collections, books, manuscripts, and cultural treasures that reflect centuries of European heritage. The choice of this historic venue as the setting for the award ceremony highlights the profound connection between contemporary creativity and the rich cultural legacy of Europe.
Participants and guests of the ceremony will be invited to attend in formal attire, in keeping with the distinguished and ceremonial nature of this international cultural event.
The 27th edition of the award carries the title:
“Tra le parole e l’infinito” – “Between Words and Infinity”
A title that expresses the spirit of the award and its belief in the power of words to touch the human soul, connect cultures, and create a universal dialogue through literature and art.
The 2026 edition focuses on the relationship between technological innovation and classical tradition, creating a space for reflection on cultural identity and the future of artistic expression in a changing world.
The event is held under the patronage of cultural institutions and organizations in Italy and brings together writers, poets, artists, musicians, and cultural figures from different countries in an international celebration of literature, creativity, and human values.
Cav. Nicola Paone – A Cultural Vision That Became an International Legacy
Cav. Nicola Paone, born in Casoria, in the Naples region of Italy (1955), is a cultural figure, entrepreneur, painter, and the founder of the international award “Tra le parole e l’infinito” (“Between Words and Infinity”), established in 2000 and developed into a prestigious international platform honoring writers, poets, artists, and cultural personalities from around the world.
Paone also founded Labore Civitatis, a lifetime achievement recognition dedicated to individuals whose work has contributed to society and culture, alongside additional cultural initiatives in the fields of literature, art, and knowledge.
Throughout his cultural career, he has received numerous honors and distinctions, including silver and gold medals awarded by Presidents of the Italian Republic and the title of Accademico di Merito from the Norman Academy in Rome.
For more than two decades, Cav. Nicola Paone has promoted a cultural vision that connects literature, art, creativity, and universal human values. Through his work and the international platforms he created, he continues to build bridges between creators, nations, and cultures.
About Iris Calif – Israel
Iris Calif is an Israeli poet, writer, journalist, editor, poetry translator, and ballerina (dancer), whose artistic creation combines literature, movement, spirituality, and culture.
Her poetry explores the profound connection between humanity, nature, creation, and the divine, expressing universal values of love, harmony, hope, compassion, and dialogue among peoples and cultures.
Calif is a member of the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel and ACUM. She is engaged in poetry editing and translation for literary and cultural platforms, promotes international literary connections, and works to bring together voices from different cultures through translation and creative exchange.
Her artistic path reflects a deep connection between different forms of expression — poetry, dance, and cultural creation — creating a unique voice that connects emotion, imagination, spirituality, and the divine dimension within human existence.
She has published three poetry books:
"On a Magical Path Lolita Breathes" (2001),
"Wild Pure Moon" (2017),
"Daughter of God" (2020),
and is currently working on her fourth and fifth poetry collections.
Her literary activity has received international recognition through awards, publications, translations, and cultural collaborations around the world.
Iris Calif continues to represent a unique Israeli artistic voice — a voice that unites poetry, movement, spirituality, and the connection between humanity and the divine, carrying a message of love, hope, and universal connection among people and cultures.
