It starts with a bang. And at the ribbon cutting of the twelfth edition of the Coca Cola Pizza Village Naples, last night, the mayor Gaetano Manfredi he didn’t hide a hint of pride. Because, she said, «this is increasingly a real format to be exported internationally. It is no longer just a culinary event but a real event that celebrates the tradition, innovation and excellence of Neapolitan pizza, paying homage to the master pizza chefs who, with dedication and passion, continue to carry forward this ancient art.”
The inauguration took place yesterday and continues until June 23rd. Seamless. Conferences, music shows, debates, talk shows, masterclasses, fun activities for children: a winning format (last year there were 25 thousand visitors) that won’t change. The program is very extensive, the undisputed protagonist is pizza. In its thousand variations. And with her, of course, Naples.
«The event aims to surpass the numbers of past editions. – added Manfredi – And it represents one of the greatest attractions for families, citizens and tourists who wish to enjoy a gastronomic and entertainment experience in the city».
For the second consecutive year, the location is the Mostra d’Oltremare: «The reconfirmation of the Fuorigrotta location for this important event confirms the vision of a polycentric Naples, capable of experiencing events of international scope in each of its neighbourhoods. – said Manfredi – It is an ideal location for important events which, just like the Pizza Village, attract thousands of visitors, Neapolitans and tourists. Thanks to the vast exhibition area and modern structures, the Mostra d’Oltremare allows it to host a large number of participants and create a perfect environment for cultural events, shows and recreational activities. Enough to create a unique experience, promoting knowledge of Neapolitan culture and promoting the city’s image through one of its most beloved gastronomic symbols.”
«We are optimistic – underlines one of the organizers, Claudio Sebillo – we continue our growth path. The signs are encouraging, sooner or later we will be able to make the big numbers on the seafront also at the Mostra. The area is well connected by public transport, perhaps the right attention is still lacking to ensure that it is included in tourist itineraries.”
A symbol that has its roots in a distant past: in the sixteenth century a flattened bread began to take on that name, pizza, which would later have global success. In 1734, the first sailor. But the birth of the Margherita pizza – and therefore of the pizza par excellence, topped with tomato, oil and basil – dates back to 1889, thanks to the intuition of a chef, Raffaele Esposito, who wanted to pay homage to Queen Margherita of Savoy. And since then, the round – with its thousand evolutions (and, sometimes, involutions) – has been in continuous and dizzying growth. And it knows no crisis. Yes, but why?
«Well, pizza was born as a formidable social safety net and today it is the most popular comfort food on the planet. – explains the anthropologist Marino Niolaauthor of several irresistible essays on habits and customs related to food – Invented in Naples to satisfy the age-old hunger of a population forced to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in a single dose – it is no coincidence that Matilde Serao called it the emergency room of the stomach – today it’s a gourmet food ei pizza chefsstrictly with the u, they are master chefs with a shovel. UNESCO recognition? Well-deserved: these champions of excellence born from poverty have created a masterpiece that combines sobriety with goodness.”
