|
|
 |
Eurochocolate
|
| For twelve years, each October has seen the return of an event to Perugia which is dedicated to food, although there is also room for art, history, culture, entertainment and solidarity. With a vast programme of events, and over 700 stands of master chocolatiers and famous makes, Eurochocolate is ready to welcome thousands of chocoholics who arrive each year from all over Europe. This year's event is scheduled from the 15th to the 23rd of October in the heart of this Umbrian city. |
|
|
|
|
|
Few other gastronomic events in Italy can boast success similar to that of Eurochocolate. 2004 saw the participation of over 900 thousand visitors: a veritable army of sweet-toothed visitors that invaded Perugia from all over Europe.
In addition to the irresistible delights of the food in question, the merit for the success goes to the organisers who renew the event each year, diversifying the themes, events and initiatives aimed at promoting a "chocolate culture".
The calendar of events is vast and features banquets, tastings, courses and exhibitions by the master chocolatiers. Added to which are exhibitions, meetings and conventions that trace back the history of cocoa in all its forms and uses as well as the customs, recipes, social and symbolic significance that chocolate has assumed down the years.
A fundamental role is to be played by medicine, which intervenes to illustrate the many properties of this fundamental food, which gives energy, helps digestion and, so the story goes, is an aphrodisiac.
There is more: art, design, music, cinema and literature are all called upon to celebrate chocolate with readings, exhibitions, works and creations on the theme, such as the much-admired chocolate sculptures. Last but not least, there is no shortage of initiatives dedicated to beauty and well-being: amongst other things, beauty farms are set up where it is possible to try out creams, masks, massages treatments and even baths: all scented with chocolate, of course. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE CHOCOLATE REVOLUTION: THE NEW EDITION |
|
|
Provocatively entitled "Chokolate Revolution", the twelfth edition of Eurochocolate sets out to explore the revolutionary value of chocolate, namely its capacity to influence tastes, habits and even the way of thinking of people.
To this end, the exhibition "Exquisitely kind chocolate" organised in collaboration with the National Library of Florence is indicative, for it is here that ancient manuscripts and documents, some of which have never been seen before, bear witness to the fortunes of hot chocolate in the court of the Medicis during the seventeenth century. It also provides an account of the transformation of chocolate from a sharp and pungent drink that Maya and Aztec peoples obtained from mixing cocoa and spices such as ginger and chilli pepper, to a sweet drink aromatised with vanilla, musk and amber, more delicate and better suited to European tastes.
It is precisely the spices, and in particular chilli pepper, which will be taking centre stage in a new initiative entitled "Red October", dedicated to new tastes and trends in chocolate and which will see the return of cocoa combined with spicy, strong flavours as well as a reduction in the sugar content, involving increasingly strong, dark chocolates.
The other novelties lined up for the 2005 include a historical itinerary dedicated to Turin's gianduia, in homage to the city with which Perugia has always shared the title of Italian chocolate capital.
A competition for young designers involving the design of innovative packages is also scheduled, as well as a "Brown night", a "bitter-sweet" version of the renowned "notti bianche" or sleepless nights where events and music take centre stage throughout the night.
Alongside culture and entertainment, the event will also be setting aside room for solidarity campaigns as well as forms of equal trade. One section, for example, will be entirely given over to small cocoa producers of developing countries.
Of the many novelties, there will be no shortage of events that have become traditional through the years, such as tastings put on by the town's cafes to promote the various tastes of chocolate, whether on its own or combined with wines and typical Umbrian products.
Last but not least is "Chocolate Show", the largest open-air chocolate bazaar where it will be possible to taste and buy chocolate products from over 130 famous national and international brands on stands set up in the town centre's squares and streets. |
|
|
|
|
 Eurochocolate 2005 "Chokolate Revolution"
Organised by: Eurochocolate Perugia
Where: Perugia, streets and squares of the old town
When: from 15 to 23 October
Tel: +39.075.5025880
Website: www.eurochocolate.perugia.it
|
|
|
|
|
![](http://wtsdc.barilla.com:80/dcsfql0zan4x0blojazudhrmz_2y5i/njs.gif?dcsuri=/nojavascript&WT.js=No&WT.ba_ar=HomePage&WT.ba_se=The Country of Flavours&WT.ba_so=Wine and food events&WT.ba_it=Eurochocolate 2005 "Chokolate Revolution"&WT.cg_n=&WT.cg_s=){kind=small}
