Procida flies to Lugano: a friendship between the two realities begins. Comparison in Switzerland in the “Taste of Art” of chef Marco Badalucci, an islander based in Lugano: this is how the Tourism Councilor Leonardo Costagliola described the experience of the Italian Capital of Culture 2022
Procida called, Lugano answered. For a friendship destined to blossom. The mayor of the Swiss city, Michele Foletti, and the deputy mayor Roberto Badaracco, together with the director of the Department of Culture Luigi Di Corato, were special guests at the evening held at “Taste of Art”, in the presence of the councilor for Tourism and Productive Activities of Procida Leonardo Costagliola.
Great openness and availability of the administration of the Ticino municipality in accepting the invitation of Chef Badalucci in his role as ambassador of the traditions and culture of Procida. This is the spirit with which Costagliola greeted the mayor, bringing as a gift books that tell the story of Procida and the enthusiasm of a year spent weaving relationships that have projected it into an international dimension, a goal until yesterday unimaginable for this piece of land in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Territories far away but not so different, as demonstrated by the 174 ethnic groups that happily coexist in Lugano as well as the 50 that have taken root on the island, a sign of a supportive and inclusive culture that knows no barriers of any kind.For us fishermen and sailors, the sea has never been an obstacle to the relationships and cultural, economic and social growth of the island. – explains Costagliola – Indeed, it has allowed us to travel the world and import knowledge.”
Just as the Alps, for Mayor Foletti, did not represent a wall but the gateway to the populations of the North, from the Celts to the Germans.
The evening is considered a prelude to an official invitation to the Procida institutions to present and share the project of Italian Capital of Culture, in view of a similar initiative that will start in Switzerland next year.
The meeting was also an opportunity to award the chef a plaque that recognizes “the professionalism, commitment and passion with which Marco Badalucci brought Procida cuisine to the world, becoming an ambassador of the Mediterranean culture of goodness and beauty”, as Costagliola pointed out.
The award is in addition to the important recognition Swiss Location Award 2022 which identifies the best Swiss hospitality and catering facilities thanks to a jury formed by the vote of over 28.000 event organizers, visitors and an independent jury. Like the Nuvoletti Award, awarded last September to the Accademia Italiana della Cucina 2022.
Article published on 18 October 2022 - 18:39
