Pollica (Salerno), November 2024. Music, culture, science, and above all, conviviality. The four-day Global Summit “Mediterranean Diet feeds the future – A journey on fertility, longevity, and prosperity” concluded between Pollica and Acciaroli with two very important moments: the appointment of the new Ambassadors of the Mediterranean Diet in the world and the convivium in the heart of the seaside village. Over 500 plates of cavatelli were served to more than 300 guests.
The Ancel Keys Living Museum of the Mediterranean Diet, based in Pioppi, a UNESCO emblematic community of the Mediterranean Diet, conferred the title on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in the historic setting of the Teatro Sala Keys. The award, established in 2016 by the Living Museum in collaboration with the Municipality of Pollica and Legambiente, went to four prominent figures who, while not coming exclusively from the gastronomic world, have distinguished themselves in their respective fields for the promotion and protection of the values and practices linked to this lifestyle. The Summit coincided with the 14th anniversary of the UNESCO recognition of the Mediterranean Diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Names and citations
Alfonso Andria, president of the European University Center for Cultural Heritage of Ravello, for his long career dedicated to the valorization of the territory and the promotion of local cultural heritage, has contributed significantly to spreading the principles of sustainability, health, and cultural identity that the Mediterranean Diet represents. His leadership, combined with a strategic vision and deep knowledge of local and global dynamics, makes him an essential figure for promoting the Mediterranean Diet worldwide not only as a food model but as a lifestyle founded on social cohesion, sustainability, and the protection of environmental and cultural heritage.
Silvia Chirico, a shepherdess, cheesemaker, and gelato maker from Cilento, embodies the authenticity and passion of the women of Cilento, promoting through her work the excellence of local products linked to the Mediterranean Diet. A guardian of ancient traditions and an innovator in the agri-food sector, her business approach represents a model of sustainable management and healthy valorization of the territory. Her commitment to combining quality, tradition, and modernity makes her contribution fundamental for spreading the cultural and nutritional values of the Mediterranean Diet internationally.
Teresa Del Giudice, Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University Federico II of Naples, for her commitment to studying the connections between the Mediterranean Diet, economic development, and territorial sustainability. Through her research and academic activities, she continues to enhance the role of this lifestyle as a driver of growth and cohesion for local communities, contributing to its promotion internationally as a model of local development and an example of civil and sustainable economy in the agricultural and environmental fields.
Paolo De Simone, artisan of taste and founder of Storie di Pane, Da Zero, and Modus, represents a national excellence in the valorization of products and traditions linked to the Mediterranean Diet. With his commitment to a sustainable supply chain and the rediscovery of authentic recipes, he combines innovation and respect for the territory, promoting a healthy and sustainable diet and lifestyle. His passion and dedication make him a fundamental player in spreading the values of the Mediterranean Diet worldwide.
A special mention went to the Mediterranean Diet Association of Pioppi, in memory of Alessandro Notaro, its historic president, thanks to whose work the relationship between the community of Pioppi and the doctors of the Seven Countries Study, Ancel Keys first and foremost, remained indissoluble. Accepting the award was the current president Maria La Gloria, wife of Alessandro Notaro, who continues the association's work.
The Cilento Feast Table
Great satisfaction from the mayor, Stefano Pisani, who wanted to celebrate the fourteenth birthday of the Mediterranean Diet as a UNESCO Heritage site not only through many cultural discussion events, but also and above all by recovering the original concept of the convivium. At 1:00 PM sharp, everyone sat down at the table, in the open air, in the center of the seaside village to taste the typical dishes of the Mediterranean Diet together.
“Already fourteen years ago, the Mediterranean Diet marked a historic moment in the recognition of UNESCO Intangible Heritage: for the first time, a food practice was elevated to Heritage of Humanity. Today, with even greater awareness and determination, we know that the Mediterranean Diet is not just a tradition, but a vision capable of changing the future,” explained Pisani. “We have focused our attention on new generations, the true engine of change, and on the perhaps most underestimated value of the Mediterranean Diet and the Cilento way of life: conviviality, a recognized tool of informal welfare capable of curbing even depressive states. Conviviality reminds us that the only way to live well is to live together, and we put it into practice with our Cilento Feast Table: a lunch for about 200 people set up in the village of Acciaroli.” The Mayor also thanked the Campania Region, in the persons of Regional Councilors Andrea Volpe, Luca Cascone, and Giuseppe Sommese, and added: “This fourteenth anniversary, like the previous ones, was for us a moment of memory and remembrance of our mayor Angelo Vassallo, who, with great vision, in the Chefchaouen declaration, wanted to extend to the whole of Cilento the task of Emblematic Community, under the guidance of the Municipality of Pollica.”
The long table laid out in the heart of Acciaroli welcomed over 300 diners. More than 500 plates of fusilli, cavatelli, and other local specialties were served to pay homage to the gastronomic tradition of the territory and one of the cornerstones of the Mediterranean Diet. Enriching the event was the culinary demonstration featuring the Mayor of Pollica Stefano Pisani, Regional Councilor Andrea Volpe, and the Mayor of Sapri Antonio Gentile, who hand-kneaded part of the cavatelli that were then served at the table, together with the science communicator Barbascura X.
Music and words between Pioppi and Acciaroli
Completing the range of activities was the music of the concerts organized between the districts of the Municipality. Fabiana Martone, James Senese, and the Ebbanesis held the stages with grace and energy. There was also space for words with "paesologo" (landscape scholar) Franco Arminio, who offered reflections on the beauty of places and the importance of roots, and with Barbascura X, interviewed by Dario Vergassola.
From Rome to New York
The Global Summit “Mediterranean Diet Feeds the Future” also presented the results of the work from Portici and Pollica in Rome, at the Macro Museum, where the candidacy of Pollica and the Lands of the Mediterranean Diet as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy was announced. On November 21 and 22, the results were presented in New York, at the United Nations Headquarters, in a conference organized with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations.
The event is organized by the Municipality of Pollica in collaboration with the Future Food Institute Foundation, the Department of Agriculture of the University Federico II, the UNESCO Chair of the Unitelma Sapienza University, and MedEatResearch of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University, supported by the Campania Region and under the patronage of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO.
Sources: Luciano Pignataro · Il Vescovado · Cilento Notizie
