CAPO D'ORLANDO PRIZE

VICO EQUENSE Sorrento Coast International Prize

The "Capo d'Orlando" International Award, a traditional spring event that has brought together science, culture, and local promotion for the last 28 years, couples the complex formation and structure of the universe with the varied, multi-layered 2,500-year history of Naples, which boasts a unique heritage of monuments, culture and anthropology. The event will take place on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the historic Giusso Castle and will feature lectures and presentations by the award winners themselves. The "Science" award will be presented to Professor Michel Mayor, winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics. The Swiss scientist discovered 51PegasiB, the first exoplanet, a real breakthrough in research into the 14.8-billion-year history of the universe and its complex structure. For the "Promotion" category, the silver plaque goes to Professor Mariafelicia De Laurentis, an astrophysicist at the Federico II University of Naples, one of the most renowned and authoritative Italian scientists, and leader of the international team that photographed a black hole for the first time. For the "Science and Industry" category, the award will be received by Dr. Fulvio Scannapieco, Knight of Labour, president of the Neapolitan ALA Spa group that works in the aerospace sector. The "Cultural Management" category award will be taken home by journalist Dr. Laura Valente, initiator of artistic and cultural projects, and artistic director of the programme celebrating the 2,500th anniversary of the City of Naples. For the "Multimedia Communication" category, the award will be given to Dr. Valentina De Laurentiis, leader of the project to internationalize Calcio Napoli sportswear in collaboration with the EA brand, promoting and fortifying the cultural and monumental identity of Naples. Last of all, the health benefits of citrus fruits, walnuts, and extra virgin olive oil will be presented by Dr. Mauro Mario Mariani, a nationally renowned nutritionist and university professor, who walks away with the "Science and Food" award. The event will be coordinated by science journalist Dr. Paola Catapano of CERN in Geneva, and chaired by Prof. Matteo Lorito, Rector of the Federico II University of Naples, which sponsors the event along with the CNR, UGIS, the Campania Regional Government, and the Vico Equense Town Council. Further information on the award can be found on the website www.premiocapodorlando.it. The "Capo d'Orlando" International Prize, created in 1999 by Umberto Celentano, Director of the Campanian Mineralogical Museum, boasts 21 Nobel Prize winners in its Roll of Honour, including mathematician John F. Nash, whose story inspired the film "A Beautiful Mind," biologist James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, and Andre Geim, architect of the discovery of Graphene, a sample of which was donated by the man himself to the museum of Vico Equense. On Thursday, May 7th, at 10:30 a.m., Professor Michel Mayor and his wife Francoise will visit the Campanian Mineralogical Museum, where they will be given a tour in French and English by students from the "Publio Virgilio Marone" Linguistic High School in Meta.