Lucrezia Ciotti The award ceremony for Wanna Marchi and Stefania Nobile at the Capitoline Hill sparked political and social debate. The two received awards for their books during a private event in the Sala della Protomoteca, but the choice of this prestigious institutional venue provoked widespread reactions and prompted the Capitoline Hill to announce a review of its procedures for granting space.
Wanna Marchi and Stefania Nobile honored at the Capitoline Hill: their books received awards.
On September 23, 2026 , Wanna Marchi and her daughter Stefania Nobile attended a ceremony in the Sala della Protomoteca of the Campidoglio , where they received two awards for their respective publications. Nobile was awarded the PIC – International Prize for Culture for Selling…
skin dear , while Marchi was awarded an award for the cookbook The truth is that I cook like this. Here nothing is weighed: the only measure is love.
The initiative was organized by the publishing house Edizioni Cento and, according to published reports, conceived by the publisher Alessandro Gian Maria Ferri. It was therefore a private event and not an award established or awarded by Rome Capital.
The choice of the Protomoteca, however, attracted attention precisely because of the institutional value of the venue. Over 200 people attended the ceremony, and city councilor Dario Nanni hosted the event.
The event's presentation emphasized the desire to promote Italian culture and excellence, highlighting people, projects, and organizations considered capable of contributing to the country's cultural and social growth. However, news of Marchi and Nobile's presence quickly sparked comments and protests on social media, with some users asking: " Is it possible? An award for culture. And for the Capitoline Hill ? "
Dario Nanni: "I wasn't aware of the presence of Wanna Marchi and Stefania Nobile."
The controversy centered primarily on the granting of the Protomoteca Hall. Dario Nanni , a member of the Mixed Group, stated that he personally took responsibility for requesting the space, but clarified that he had not been informed of the presence of the two award recipients. "Obviously, I was completely unaware of the presence of Wanna Marchi and Stefania Nobile among the honorees. If I had known, clearly, I would never have supported the request to use the hall , " he explained, apologizing for what happened.
The incident has also provoked reactions on the political front. Senator Susanna Donatella Campione of the Brothers of Italy party has asked for clarification on the procedures followed to authorize use of the room and on the documentation relating to the event. Former mayor and current Five Star Movement councilor Virginia Raggi has also called the situation " surreal , " raising questions about the checks carried out before granting the space.
Following the controversy, Rome Capital has announced a review of the processing procedures for the use of the Capitoline Halls , with the intention of strengthening preventive controls on initiatives and participants and evaluating possible more precise guidelines.
Wanna Marchi herself publicly commented on the evening, emphasizing the personal significance of the recognition: "Life is a truly strange thing: from Castel Guelfo to a prison cell and then you find yourself acclaimed in the Campidoglio . " Stefania Nobile, however, responded to the criticism on social media by defending the concept of culture linked to her books.