Mirias International Piano Competition

Some events simply arrive in a city. Others have the power to transform it.
From 15 to 18 June, Benevento became an international meeting point for young musicians from across the globe thanks to the Mirias International Piano Competition, an event that brought talent, culture and dialogue among peoples to the Sannio through the universal language of music.
Behind this extraordinary achievement stands the determination of Emily Preziosa, pianist and founder of the Mirias Music Academy, who chose to transform a personal experience into an opportunity for future generations.
The idea was born from the awareness that, for those growing up in smaller communities, finding opportunities for international exchange and high-level artistic development is often a challenge. After experiencing life-changing educational and musical opportunities herself, Emily decided to build a bridge between the world and her hometown, offering young musicians the chance to access similar experiences without necessarily having to look elsewhere.
An ambitious project that, in less than a year, became a reality thanks to the work of a young, talented and passionate team capable of overcoming the organisational, logistical and cultural challenges of an event with an international scope.
The response from the music world was extraordinary.
More than seventy young pianists arrived in Benevento from countries including South Korea, Japan, China, Israel, the United States, Russia, Ukraine and many others. For four days, the city welcomed different cultures, languages and artistic journeys, all united by the same passion for music.
At the end of the competition, first prize was awarded to Japanese pianist Momoko Shioki, second prize to Francesco Pio Bakiu, and third prize to Maika Kato. Yet the most important result goes far beyond any ranking.
The true success of the Mirias International Piano Competition was proving that Benevento can be the stage for major international cultural events.
In a territory that is too often defined by its challenges, Mirias shone a different light: that of a city capable of attracting young talents from all over the world.
For four days, Benevento was not simply the city hosting the competition. It became a destination, a meeting point for cultures, languages and talents arriving from every corner of the globe.
There is also a deeply personal element that makes this project even more meaningful.
The Mirias Music Academy and the Mirias Prize bear the name of Miria Farina, musician and mother of Emily Preziosa. Through every concert, every student and every new initiative, her memory continues to live on through the values that inspired this journey: a love for music, a commitment to educating young people and the belief that culture can change lives.
Perhaps this is the most beautiful message left behind by the Mirias International Piano Competition.
That even in a city like Benevento, projects capable of speaking to the world can be born.
That dreams, when combined with competence, passion and courage, can become concrete opportunities for an entire territory.
And that culture, still today, remains one of the most powerful ways to build the future.