IThe 21st edition of “Gragnano Città della Pasta” was inaugurated today, the gastronomic event organized and promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Gragnano IGP Pasta in collaboration with the Municipality of Gragnano and the Campania Region, in the presence of Vincenzo De Luca, President of the Campania Region, Aniello D'Auria, Mayor of the Municipality of Gragnano and Massimo Menna, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Gragnano IGP Pasta.
On stage in Gragnano until Sunday 10 September, the 2023 edition celebrates an important milestone: the tenth anniversary of obtaining the Protected Geographical Indication mark, the first community quality recognition awarded to pasta in Italy and Europe. An authoritative and prestigious mark that guarantees the origin and quality of the product, testifying to the centuries-old tradition of Pasta di Gragnano.
The inauguration ceremony, in the city center, took place in the presence of the President of the Consortium, Massimo Menna, the Mayor of Gragnano, Aniello D'Auria, local authorities and representatives of the consortium pasta factories, with the inevitable "Cutting of Spaghetti" which officially started the event as per tradition.
During the ceremony, the 2nd edition of the “Gragnano Città della Pasta” Award – established by the Municipality of Gragnano – was assigned to Maddalena Fossati Dondero who, as Director of the historic and authoritative gastronomic magazine, carries forward the identity value of Italian Cuisine in an inclusive, transversal and global manner.
“We are proud to have opened the doors of this 21st edition of Gragnano Città della Pasta, a festival dedicated to celebrating Gragnano IGP pasta and which represents a tribute to the Italian culinary heritage – declared Massimo Menna, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Gragnano IGP Pasta, at the ribbon cutting -. Gragnano is the cradle of pasta and is always ready to welcome this event with great enthusiasm and participation to share this fortunate story of water, semolina and happiness.
The calendar of events is packed with food and wine and cultural themes, with themed talks and seminars, starred chefs and food stands, live performances and street art, animating the entire city.”
The conference section opens with a talk by La Cucina Italiana entitled “Italian cuisine, a heritage for all: from good food to UNESCO candidacy”.
Among the expected guests is the well-known director, screenwriter and writer Ferzan Ozpetek who on Sunday 10 September will be the protagonist of the conversation “A Tavola con Ozpetek” with Monica Caradonna, journalist, Rai correspondent and host of Linea Verde Life.
The presence of Ferzan Ozpetek represents an important moment of connection between the world of cinema and the cultural identity inextricably linked to cooking and pasta, also supported by the relationship with Gragnano, the city where the theatrical transposition of “Mine Vaganti” is set, the film that with extraordinary public success and critical acclaim in 2010 achieved a shower of prestigious awards: 2 David di Donatello, 5 Nastri, 4 Globi d'oro, 4 Ciak d'oro and the special jury prize at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
On the occasion of Gragnano Città della Pasta, the filmmaker will be given the keys to the city by Aniello D'Auria, Mayor of the Municipality of Gragnano as a sign of welcome and recognition.
The Gragnano event will also be an opportunity to visit the Campania town and discover the historical and artistic wonders of the surrounding area. During the event, in the suggestive Valle dei Mulini, the Lo Monaco Mill will be inaugurated, whose restoration was carried out by the Gragnano and Monti Lattari Culture and History Center "Alfonso Maria Di Nola" with the important contribution of the Consortium for the Protection of Gragnano IGP Pasta.
Gragnano Città della Pasta also sees the participation of prestigious National Consortia (Consortium for the Protection of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, Consortium for the Protection of Ricotta di Bufala Campana DOP, Consortium for the Protection of Tomato San Marzano DOP, Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano DOP, Consortium for the Protection of Pecorino Romano DOP, Consortium for the Protection of Vitellone Bianco dell'Appennino Centrale IGP, Aprol Campania Società Cooperativa Agricola) which, coming from different regions of Italy, synergistically enrich the event, bringing their excellence and describing with passion and pride all the goodness of our country.
Article published on 9 September 2023 - 08:57
