Veneto region queen of quality festivals

Enhancing the typical products, traditions, culture and folklore of a territory. With this objective in mind, every year the pro loco organisations organise dozens of festivals in the squares with tastings, games, music and costumed re-enactments, which attract Italian and foreign tourists even in the mid-season, when the flow of visitors is reduced. A heritage that represents an authentic wealth for the induced income generated and for the sense of belonging that the events nourish in the promoting communities. For these reasons, every year the National Union of Pro-Loco of Italy (Unpli) identifies the best events, which enter the Olympus of Quality Festivals, a seal that enhances their reputation. In 2024, seven awards went to as many festivals in the Veneto region, which received prizes in recent weeks, with the province of Treviso taking the lion's share with three events. The number of festivals recognised in the boot included the Melere di Trichiana festival in the Belluno area; the asparagus festival in Pernumia (Padua); the San Matteo festival with the Palio dei mussi in Riese Pio X; the Radicchio rosso tardivo Igp exhibition; and the Asparago di Badoere Igp exhibition, all three in the Treviso area, the last two in Zero Branco. In the Venetian area, the Fair and zogo de l'oca in the square in Mirano hit the target, and in the Vicenza area, the Gran Polù Festival in Castelnovo. In all, 41 festivals and nine national 'quality' events were awarded the 2024 mark. Among these, two were held in Friuli Venezia Giulia and one in Trentino. The regional Friulian Wine Festival of the pro loco delle Risorgive Medio Friuli in Bertiolo, Udine, and Tradizion Cjastelane in Castelnovo del Friuli, in the province of Pordenone, now also bear the title. Finally, the seal also went to the White Asparagus Festival in Zambana, in the municipality of Terre D'Adige, Trento.

With 21 awards of excellence, Veneto ranks first in Italy. An award that also goes to the thousands of people each year who are ready to mobilise themselves to organise festivals and exhibitions.

'The Quality Festivals seal set up by the national Unpli,' emphasises Rino Furlan, head of the Veneto Union and national head of the project, 'aims to qualify and valorise the work and commitment of those who, by offering a precious contribution, make possible the events that are the most representative and most deeply felt by communities. The seal testifies to their value and importance, "capable of reviving ties with the territory, celebrating local traditions and food and wine excellence, creating synergies with local economic activities and promoting conscious tourism," he adds. Organising events is not always straightforward for the volunteers, who have to deal with a mass of bureaucracy regarding the specialities distributed, the participation of extras, bands, dancers, through to the facilities used and the equipment. To make it easier for the pro loco to untangle the meanderings of the provisions, Veneto senator Antonio De Poli recalled that the Senate had started the process on the bill recognising the work of the Pro Loco. Today, the bill is hinged in the Constitutional Affairs Commission. 'It will make it possible to simplify the organisational procedures for events, helping administrators and volunteers to put events on the ground safely, but with a less heavy burden of bureaucracy,' he says.

The Veneto festivals that have been awarded the seal this year are organised by a variable number of volunteers: from the more than 500 involved in the Melere di Trichiana festival in the Belluno area, from 1 to 15 August each year, to the 300 or so who work on the three events organised in the Treviso area, to the 150 involved in the Mirano Goose Fair.

The matrix is mostly gastronomic: in Trichiana, for example, one can taste typical local dishes such as pastin (gnocchi with mountain herbs or smoked ricotta cheese), grilled cheese, risottos, casunziei, local game (deer, roe deer, hare and mouflon) and 'osei' accompanied by polenta made with the typical red corn of the Valbelluna. The Asparagus Festival in Pernumia, in the Padua area, the Late Red Radicchio and Asparagus Exhibition in Badoere, in Zero Branco, in the Treviso area, are inspired by typical local products. The same goes for the Mushroom Exhibition in Altivole, the Pepper Festival in Zero Branco, and the Chestnut Market Exhibition in Pederobba, also in the province of the Marca, which have won recognition in previous editions. The same goes for the Verza Moretta Festival, in Veronella, the Almond Festival in Cologna Veneta, and the Bisi Festival in Colognola ai Colli, in the province of Verona, as well as the Melon Festival in Massanzago, in the province of Padua, and the Cod Festival in Sandrigo, in the province of Vicenza.