By Anna Bonavita
Being back in Italy is, well, a blast! And in August, there is an abundance of cultural events! Plus, everyone is in an especially good mood because they are already on or anticipating an upcoming vacation. For me, this time, in the very memorable August of 2021, started with the Festa Artusiana – a 9-day culinary marathon from July 31st to August 8th. It has taken place since 1997 in Forlimpopoli, Emilia Romagna, and includes a celebration of the birthday of Pellegrino Artusi, the author of the Italian cooking bible and therefore the "father" of Italian cuisine. I was invited to participate by Esperienza collaborator and Festa Artusiana key organizer, Casa Artusi, the first cultural center in Italy dedicated completely to home cooking.
Forlimpopoli is a small, quiet city with a population of 13,000, and for this period, it dresses in its best and welcomes everyone who wants to enter into the universe of food and wine. In fact, the town was truly transformed into the capital of gastronomy. There was something for every taste – Michelin chefs were offering free, open-air interpretations of Artusi recipes, the President of the region of Emilia-Romagna, Stefano Bonacini, was talking about the importance of the food sector for the economy. Journalists were introducing their books on culinary secrets. An Artusi bench in the shape of his famous book “La scienza in cucina e l'arte di mangiar bene” ("The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well") was unveiled. Exhibits and concerts were attracting crowds of happily strolling people.
Still, there is an important link connecting all these ideas, aromas, tastes and sounds, a message very dear to my heart. Home cooking is the unique space where we connect with each other and the world. It is where we make choices that affect the health of the planet and ourselves, where creativity, experimentation and spontaneity is instantly rewarded and welcome. Perhaps it is even one of the last bastions of our humanity, where we continue to pursue “the good and the beautiful” wherever we find it, just as Artusi envisioned it in his book.
Hopefully next year you too can join me at Casa Artusi for more food focused culture! For now stay tuned for more gastronomic and cultural adventures as I continue my travels.
