The library, which opened in 1974, enabled Trichiana to be awarded the title of “Town of Books”. At the same time, the Cortina family proposed establishing a literary prize that would make Trichiana a place of national cultural significance.
The idea was taken up and brought to fruition twenty years later, in 1991, with the launch of the “Trichiana – Paese del libro” National Literary Prize, a competition for unpublished short stories. Over the years, the award – which has been open to both adults and school groups – has been accompanied by a literary festival that has attracted distinguished authors (to name but a few: Milena Gabanelli, Marco Balzano, Tiziano Scarpa, Senator Elena Cattaneo and Maria Grazia Calandrone). There are readings, activities for children, writing workshops and discussions. The award ceremony and the festival take place during the last week of July in the gardens and courtyards of the hamlets and palaces of Borgo Valbelluna.