Leonardo da Vinci International Rotary Award

In the name of Leonardo, eleven Rotary Clubs from as many nations, a true European community, have joined the initiative over the years, each carrying its contribution of European traditions and Rotarian faith.

The Leonardo da Vinci International Award is an annual international prize named after Leonardo da Vinci, to award outstanding achievement by young people involved in the study of the sciences, technology, literature and the arts. Among the disciplines recognised and rewarded so far have been painting, sculpture, music, geology, architecture, medicine and nuclear physics.

Leonardo was an ante litteram European spirit, not only for he's vast culture, although he was a self-taught man, but also for his travels throughout Europe. After a childhood spent in Vinci,  a  small  rural  town  founded  by  the  Etruscans  and  occupied  by  the  Romans,  he  spent  long periods in Florence, Milan, Rome and finally in France. He was born and died near Florence and Tours, two city founders of the Prize.

A personal memory is dedicated to our friend Piero Scarselli, no longer with us, but together with  the  Presidents  of  Tours,  Vienna-Ring  and  Athinai  Rotary  Clubs,  founded  the  award in 1975. This initiative does not end with the annual celebration of a talented young person, it is also and above all, a  joyful  opportunity  to  meet  Rotarian  friends  from  Europe,  an  opportunity  to  strengthen  old friendships and create new ones between people linked by the common Rotarian ideal of "serving" the neighbours, the society and the world. 

Discover the past, present and future of this Award on this website.