Distretto del Cibo

Fiera di San Martino

The San Martino Fair in Chieri: tradition, sustainability, and innovation

This year, once again, Chieri is ready to host the historic San Martino Fair, which will bring life to the town’s squares and streets from November 9 to 12. Now in its 46th edition, this fair celebrates the area’s agricultural roots while looking to the future with a lineup of events and initiatives that blend tradition with innovation and place a special focus on sustainability. This year’s edition promises to engage residents and visitors alike with a wide range of events, from food and wine tastings to shows, as well as conferences on sustainable agriculture and activities for children. The fair is organized in collaboration with the Chieri-Carmagnola Food District, a regional association that promotes the quality and sustainability of local resources, emphasizing a responsible agricultural supply chain and showcasing local excellence. Fair programme: events for everyone The gastronomic heart of the fair, Sapori in Fiera, will take place in Piazza Cavour. Here, local producers will offer tastings of typical products, from cheeses and cured meats to sweet specialties like the famous Galucio ‘d Cher, a rooster-shaped pastry popular with children up until the 1970s. The Chieri-Carmagnola Food District will play a central role, promoting its culinary specialties and allowing attendees to discover local treasures like Freisa di Chieri, a DOC wine that represents the area’s winemaking heritage. Sustainability will be a major focus this year, with two important conferences: “The New Role of Agriculture in Serving Communities and the Environment” and “Cultivating the Future: Ethics and Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture.” These events, organized with the support of the Department of Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sciences and the Politecnico di Torino, will highlight how agriculture can respond to today’s environmental and social challenges, contributing to the protection of the land and the well-being of local communities. Culture and fun for the whole family Beyond food and wine, the San Martino Fair will offer a wide range of cultural and entertainment activities for the entire family. A comedy show in the Piedmontese dialect will officially kick off the festivities on November 8, and throughout the weekend, there will be workshops for children, street performances, and an exhibit of small animals and agricultural machinery. A group bike ride, organized in collaboration with the Food District, will also provide an opportunity to explore the scenic and historic beauty of the Chieri area. Food lovers can enjoy beer-pouring masterclasses, bread-making workshops, and cooking demonstrations featuring local products. Chieri’s restaurants and eateries will include special dishes made with ingredients sourced from the Food District, offering a culinary experience that reflects the essence of the region. The San Martino Fair is more than just a market event: it’s an opportunity to reconnect with the local area and support the regional economy, with the involvement of Ascom Chieri and initiatives to raise awareness of local commerce. Visitors will have the chance to appreciate Chieri’s cultural, historical, and culinary richness in an atmosphere of celebration and togetherness. With the support of the Piedmont Region, the Metropolitan City of Turin, the Turin Chamber of Commerce, and the MAB UNESCO Collina Po, the San Martino Fair reaffirms itself as an unmissable event for those who wish to discover Chieri’s excellence, with a strong commitment to sustainability in partnership with the Chieri-Carmagnola Food District.

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The ancient tradition of the Cherry Festival in Pecetto

Pecetto has been celebrating the Cherry Festival since as far back as 1915. The 109th edition of the festival will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024. On the occasion of this historic tradition, the municipality will host events, tastings, exhibitions, markets, and many other cultural initiatives aimed at showcasing the area to all those who visit from afar. The program of the Cherry Festival This year’s celebration will kick off early with a concert at the Cherry Palace in Piazza delle Ciliegie at 9:00 PM on Friday, May 31, 2024. The “La Ceresera” Music Band of Pecetto, in collaboration with the Castelrosso Philharmonic Society and its Majorettes, will perform. The festival is an opportunity both to taste the typical products of the area and to promote activity to the numerous visitors. Various associations, such as the Distretto del Cibo del Chierese and Carmagnolese, and the Municipality, with the support of the Pro Loco, participate in this moment of unity to relaunch a significant tourist and cultural message. This message is expressed through the intense flavour and aroma of this fruit. Furthermore, it emphasises the bond with the area that the people of Pecetto feel, eager to share with the visitors. On Sunday, June 2, the festivities will begin at 11:30 AM, and at 2:30 PM, there will be a meeting on a current and important theme entitled “Biodiversity and territory: a sustainable challenge”. Lead by researcher Daniela Torello Marinoni, teacher at the Vittone Bonafous Institute Elisa Biason, and Technical Referent of the Chierese-Carmagnolese Food District Davide Murgese, the meeting will be held at Piazza Rimembranza, near the library. However, in case of rain, it will be moved to the multipurpose hall of the Batù Church. A historic festival This year will be a historic festival for Pecetto: 800 years have passed since the first time its name was officially found on a document. However, cherries date back to an even more ancient time, when Rome took control of the northern regions of our peninsula, in the Augustan age. Cherries were also fundamental during a time of great economic instability. Following the Second World War, in fact, large automotive industries began to take workers to the countryside promising well-paid salaries and guaranteed work. However, Pecetto’s strong cherry-related culture kept many young workers in the fields. In light of this history, it is not surprising that Pecetto has been hosting the Cherry Festival every June since 1915. This annual tradition welcomes people from everywhere. Come and take a stroll among the cherry trees and savour the delicious fruit grown on those hills for thousands of years.

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