On Friday, December 12, 2025, Venice hosted the official ceremony of the Venice International Grand Prize – Golden Lion, one of the most prestigious awards in Italy and internationally dedicated to excellence in the fields of culture, economics, entrepreneurship, communication, art, social issues, and the professions, in the prestigious Sala della Regione Veneto.
The event was a high-profile institutional and cultural occasion, confirming the award’s vocation to recognize merit, competence, and concrete impact on society, in a symbolic setting that combines tradition and future vision.
The Leone d’Oro di San Marco award, established in 1953, has over time become one of the most significant recognitions of individual commitment, competence, and ability. The award has been given to citizens who have distinguished themselves for their concrete contribution to the economic, cultural, and civil growth of society, embodying values of responsibility, dedication, and service to the community, in full harmony with the spirit that has always animated the Venice International Grand Prize.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Sileno Candelaresi, President of the Leone d’Oro; Dr. Luz Adriana Sarcinelli, Vice President of the Leone d’Oro; Maurilio Prioreschi, President of the Venice International Grand Prize; Dr. Pierpaolo Zagnoni and Journalist Lorenzo Mayer, Vice Presidents of the Grand Prize; Dr. Giuseppe Ghisolfi, President of the Leone d’Oro for Economics; and Maestro Ernst Knam, President of Star Golden Lion – Pastry Section.
The award, produced by the Leone d’Oro Foundation ETS, a non-political organization registered with RUNTS and supported exclusively by solidarity contributions, has renewed its commitment to promoting ethical, professional, and civic values in this edition.
Star Golden Lion and Knights of Italian Cuisine in the World
Ample space was dedicated to the excellence of Italian cuisine and gastronomic culture, protagonists in the spread of Made in Italy around the world, which sees Vice President Tina Bianco:
The Star Golden Lion award was presented to Giovanni Mascari, Alessandra Baruzzi, National President of Lady Chef, and Benedetto Esposito, Michelin-starred chef, professionals recognized for their quality, creativity, technical expertise, and ability to interpret Italian culinary tradition in a contemporary key.
The Honorary Appointment of Knight of Italian Cuisine in the World, with the awarding of the Golden Lion Seal, was assigned to Lady Chefs Cinzia Cuccu, Adriana Qeti, and Serena Della Notte, ambassadors of Italian gastronomic culture at an international level, distinguished for their elegance, training, and dissemination activities. Present as patroness was Lady Chef Rosi Napoli, already awarded last October.
Golden Lion of Merit: leaders in economics, culture, and innovation
The Golden Lion of Merit was awarded to Dr. Gianni Franco Papa, Dr. Marco Roncalli, Marco Ciarnò, and Alessandro Cecconi, personalities who have distinguished themselves for their strategic vision, cultural contribution, managerial skills, and attention to ethical and territorial development.
Institutional and merit awards
The Institutional Plaque of Venice of the Lion of St. Mark was awarded to Colonel Pilot Massimo Maieron for a career dedicated to national security and aeronautical training.
The Silver Lion of Merit was awarded to Dr. Giorgio Draperis and Dr. Emanuele Regis, managers who have distinguished themselves for their competence, experience, and contribution to organizational and institutional development.
The Nomination of Knight of the Golden Lion was awarded to Davide Pedon, an example of professional integrity and civic commitment.
Finally, the Recognition of Merit with the Golden Lion Seal was awarded to Dr. Vittorio Baroni, to our Director Dr. Antonella Gramigna for her professionalism and leadership of the international publication The Gram Journal, and to Luigi Vertaglio for their contributions in their respective professional and social fields.
An award that confirmed the value of merit
The Venice International Grand Prize – Golden Lion reaffirmed its mission in this edition: to celebrate the human and professional value of those who contribute, with competence, responsibility, and vision, to the growth of society, reaffirming Venice as a symbolic place of excellence, culture, and future.
