The Italian Festival returns to liven up the riverside area of Gaia!

The 3rd edition of the Italian Festival returns to the riverside area of ​​Vila Nova de Gaia, from 23 to 29 July 2019.

The Italian Festival is back to the Pier of Gaia, for another edition where the transalpine culture will be highlighted. It will be seven days full of Italian gastronomy, offering to those who visit this event, the opportunity to taste the best of Italian food with the unique touch of regional flavors.
This celebration counts once again with the 6th edition of the Portuguese Pizza Championship, Monday 29th, in the categories Pizza Napoletana STG, Classic Pizza, Pizza Art, Dolce Pizza and Acrobatic Pizza, bringing together the best masters Portuguese pizza in a competition that has been registering, year after year, more and more participations. The novelty of 2019 is the 1st edition of the Portuguese Pasta Championship, Sunday, 28th, where participants can demonstrate their talent with fresh or dry pasta.

The jury, chosen by hand, will be mostly Italian, with Sergio Miccú, President of Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, Antonio Mezzero, World Pizza Champion, Stefano Catalano, President of Unione Pizzaioli Cifa Italia, Simona Lauri, World Cup Champion and teacher of baking in Italy, Paolino Bucca, World Champion in the Acrobatic Pizza category and Chef Cordeiro, one of the most respected chefs in Portugal.
Throughout the Italian Festival, a vast program of activities will ensure the continuous animation of its visitors, with irresistible proposals, which mirror the best of Italian culture. Among the invited artists, the presence of “Anonima Nuvolari”, “Ginga a Milanesa”, “Andrea Musio” and “Collettivo Orkestrada Circus” stands out. In addition to numerous live concerts, the event also features Italian DJ sessions, free workshops, and show cooking and two permanent exhibitions. One of the motorized scooters and one with photographs representing “Il fascino dell’Italia”.

The little ones were not forgotten either! Saturday, the 27th, the “bambinis” will be able to prepare their pizzas in an exclusive workshop at the hands of the Portuguese Selection of Pizzaiolos and later compete in the Junior Trophy. All with proper characterization, since there will be makeup artists in the place to make facial paintings.
In the spirit of communion with the territory where it is held, the Italian Festival does not forget also the entities and associations of Vila Nova de Gaia, having extended invitations to participate to the Association of Mariners of the Gaia Pier, Amigos do Solar Condes de Resende – Queirosiana Confraternity, Gaia Senior Academy, Vespa Clube de Gaia and Vilar do Paraíso Music Academy, being present in the general program. All the bottles of water available on-site will be solidary, reverting to the Portuguese Red Cross.

Michele Mezzero, President of Associazione Sapori Italiani, said that this event “will be an acknowledgment of the art and passion of the pizza industry, as well as an incentive for constant training and certification of pizzerias. Associazione Sapori Italiani, which certifies not only pizzas but also pasta and gelato “and recalls that” during the days of the event will be marketed pizzas, pastas, risottos, homemade ice creams, and antipasti. The pizza, star of the event, will be, as tradition says, in a wood-fired oven. ”

The Italian Festival is a joint organization between the Associazione Sapori Italiani and the Municipal Council of Gaia, thus becoming the great celebration of the ancient transalpine culture in our country, spreading tastes and traditions that have been winning over the Portuguese.