The food and wine event that focuses on the valorisation of local products returns to Taranto. Strongly desired by the municipal administration led by mayor Rinaldo Melucci, the event represents an interesting vehicle for the promotion of a city that is changing
Ego Festival, the event that for three days, starting from Friday 10 May, will talk about gastronomy, culture, art, identity of the territory, returns to Taranto again this year. And it does so thanks to the commitment of the municipal administration led by mayor Rinaldo Melucci who intended to focus on an event that would bring economic benefits and be able to represent an interesting promotional vehicle for the city and its seafood products.
This morning the organizers of the event presented the sixth edition (the fourth which takes place in the Ionian capital) at Palazzo di Città, in the “Hall of Mirrors”, in the presence of the mayor Rinaldo Melucci, his deputy, councilor Gianni Azzaro, and the creator of the Ego Festival, Monica Caradonna.
“For some years – declared the mayor during his speech – we are telling the story of Taranto’s change also and above all through international events, such as the Ego Festival. This change, this transformation leverages three factors which materialize in as many actions: investing one’s resources in favor of certain events with the need to recover our identity and our excellences; talk about the city in a different way and able to make it clear that we are breaking away from the monoculture of steel; finally, generate interest in young people and local businesses for everything that can arise around the food and wine supply chain. We as the Administration believe in a product like “Ego Festival” and this is demonstrated by the fact that we have included it in the annual programming of city events, guaranteeing our support. As I have already argued on other occasions, it is time to talk about the city not only to those who visit it, but also to the people of Taranto. It’s time to say that there is a new way of doing economics, starting from identity factors, starting from those repercussions that can probably further enhance the commitment of our young people and our entrepreneurial realities.”
The same concept was also expressed by deputy mayor Azzaro who wanted to underline how “with Ego we have the opportunity to continue this path undertaken for several years by the municipal administration which tells of a different Taranto, which has decided to change direction. We strongly supported this fourth Taranto edition of Ego Festival for several reasons. But above all because it represents an opportunity for tourism promotion of the city which, taking advantage of the foreign chefs who will participate in the event using typical local products, is placed at the center of the international stage. This will only lead to important consequences for our chefs who will enrich their skills. And then I would like to remember the involvement of our young people who will be an active part of the photographic contest and of “Cozza in City”, which will not only be the promotion of a slow food presidium, but will help reconnect the new generations to their roots.”
