In Gragnano, the statue of the dean of pasta, Mario Faella, was inaugurated

In Guglielmo Marconi square in Gragnano the was officially inaugurated bronze statue dedicated to Knight Mario Faella, dean of pasta makers and son of Gaetano, founder of the pasta factory of the same name. A life dedicated to work, in the name of excellence. Cavaliere Mario Faella was a visionary entrepreneur, born and raised in Gragnano, who has dedicated his life to the production of high quality pasta.

His pasta factory, founded in 1870 and present in Piazza Marconi since 1907, has become a symbol of excellence and tradition, helping to make know the Gragnano pasta worldwide. Thanks to his commitment and passion, Faella pasta has become synonymous with quality.

The city of Gragnano, known as the "City of Pasta", owes much to the work of the Knight Faella. His dedication has allowed us to enhance the ancient techniques of production and of keep traditions alive local. Gragnano PGI pasta is today appreciated for its unique quality, resulting from the use of selected and slow-drying grains, which gives the pasta an inimitable consistency and flavour.

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Institutions and schools at the inauguration

The ceremony was attended by the administrators of the Sergio Cinque pasta factory and Gianluca Di Nola (Mario's grandsons), numerous citizens, authority locals and representatives of the food sector, underlining the importance of this figure for the Gragnano community. Also present were the and students and the teachers of the Roncalli-Siani middle school of the music department, who opened the ceremony by performing famous Italian songs and then paid homage to the figure of the pasta maker through an in-depth study of his professional life.

During the ceremony, the mayor Dr. Aniello D'Auria underlined the importance of the recognition of Gragnano as the world capital of pasta, highlighting how the city has acquired international fame thanks to the work of local producers. D'Auria recalled how Gragnano, thanks to innovation and global communication, is now known throughout the world. He also highlighted the crucial role of institutions, schools and entrepreneurs in keeping this tradition alive and ensuring that Gragnano continues to thrive as a center of excellence in pasta production.

The sculptor Domenico Sepe declared: “Making this statue was a great honor. I wanted to represent the Faella Knight as a symbol of excellence and traditionThe bronze used for the bust was cast together with that of the monument dedicated to the pasta makers, underlining the deep bond between the figure of the Knight and the history of pasta of Gragnano. The sculpture preserves not only the image, but also the spirit of a man who contributed significantly to our community.”

Faella CEO Dr. Sergio Cinque, Mario Faella's nephew, said: “I remember my uncle as a person who was truly dedicated body and soul for his whole life in the production of pasta, he lived 24 hours a day in this square, in this factory which is rich in history, rich in history not only of the Faella pasta factory but also of other factories that Gragnano has hosted going back to 1800. For us for all of us he was certainly an example, an example, a great motivator, a person who managed to transmit healthy values ​​to all of us and above all the commitment and passion for an art that may seem easy especially to those who practice it daily with a certain simplicity but instead is always full of unexpected events and difficulties. A heritage that Gragnano must continue to preserve also for the new generations, because it is what has practically distinguished our history in recent centuries.” 

The bronze statue represents the Knight Faella in a proud pose. The plaque of the statue is engraved: “Cavaliere Mario Faella. Wise guardian of the white art, who he was able to pass on his knowledge and contributed to making the quality of Gragnano pasta known throughout the world.”

The inauguration of the statue marks a moment of great pride for Gragnano and for all those who work in the pasta industry. The city will continue to celebrate its rich history and traditions, keeping alive the memory of a man who was able to transform a small pasta factory into a brand of excellence recognized throughout the world.