“Masi Award” No. 45 to oncologist David Khayat, who questioned the relationship wine-health

David Khayat, a world-renowned French oncologist and science communicator, whose original and unconventional approach to cancer prevention has helped challenge certain common assumptions about the relationship between nutrition, health, and wine, has been announced today by the Masi Foundation as the winner of “Premio Masi Internazionale” - “Masi International Prize” No. 45 for “Civiltà del Vino” - “Civilization of Wine”. Since 1981, the Masi Foundation has promoted this award, which this year, in the complex times we are living through, is dedicated to the theme “The Courage of Responsibility”. The prize celebrates prominent national and international figures who embody culture, civilization, and civic commitment at the heart of Valpolicella. On October 16th, following the traditional signing of the historic Amarone barrel at the Masi cellars, a symbol of the award, and subsequently during the ceremony at Monteleone21, the winery new wine and cultural hub in Gargagnago, Khayat will take part in a discussion with journalist Alessandro Milan and will be awarded together with Luigi Carlon, a Veronese entrepreneur and collector, founder of Index, who transformed his passion for art into a cultural project open to the community through Palazzo Maffei Casa Museo; Nello Cristianini, the Gorizia-born scientist and professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bath in England, a leading figure in international AI research; and the Venice Gardens Foundation, chaired by Adele Re Rebaudengo, a non-profit organization established to protect, restore, and enhance Venice’s historic gardens while fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. These awardees will receive the “Masi Prize” for “Venetian Civilization.” They will be joined by Reporters Sans Frontières - Reporters Without Borders, the international non-profit organization dedicated to defending freedom, pluralism, and the independence of journalism and to protecting journalists, represented by its director general Thibaut Bruttin, winner of the “Grosso d’Oro Veneziano”.
“Wine is part of our culture and our civilization: when enjoyed with balance and awareness, it is an expression of pleasure and well-being. In this vision, based on moderation and on a humanistic relationship between science and society, we find common ground with David Khayat  - underlines Sandro Boscaini, vicepresident of the Masi Foundation and president of Masi Agricola -  in his courageous and unconventional work Arrêtez de vous priver! - “Stop depriving yourself!”, the internationally renowned French oncologist and communicator invites us to enjoy wine and food in order to restore meaning to our lives”. His award is dedicated to the world of winegrowing and winemaking and honors the most outstanding individuals who have contributed internationally to promoting the ancient culture of the vine and wine. Khayat is recognized “for his contribution to medicine through research, treatment, and support for prevention. In particular, for his commitment to a balanced and culturally informed approach to nutrition and wine,” according to the award citation, “in the spirit of the Mediterranean Diet, inspired by moderation, public health, and dialogue between science and society”.
“Now more than ever, among the global disaster which sorrounds us, and yes, it can truly be called a disaster  - explains Isabella Bossi Fedrigotti, president of the Masi Foundation -  all of us, ordinary citizens and senior political leaders alike, need a strong sense of responsibility as well as the courage to face reality, however difficult it may be. It is this courage that we recognize in our recipients of the Venetian Civilization Prize: in Luigi Carlon, for his bold decision to open his private art collection to the city; in the Venice Gardens Foundation, for its commitment to generating harmony, peace, and respect for nature in a Venice that is as exceptional as it is fragile; and in Nello Cristianini, for his contribution to understanding the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence and new technologies”. At a historical moment in which “freedom of the press is more fragile than ever  - concludes Marco Vigevani, secretary general of the Masi Foundation -  Reporters Sans Frontières plays an essential role in safeguarding journalists and fighting against every form of manipulation and distortion of information. It is a commitment which requires courage and determination, especially when the truth of facts and the right of citizens to free and reliable information are at stake”.