Naples takes to the streets to celebrate its main product, the Neapolitan Pizza, one year after the Unesco decision to consecrate the "Art of Neapolitan piazzaioli" as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It's a big party in the historic via Chiaia in the heart of the city, near the Antica Pizzeria Brandi, where, according to tradition, the Pizza margherita was born with outdoor tables, pizza chefs celebrating, acrobatic performances.
An all-Neapolitan demonstration of pride that involved tourists and citizens from the early afternoon with choirs, songs and tastings of the symbolic product of Made in Italy and the Mediterranean diet. An opportunity to take stock one year after the historic result with effects on the economy and on the international image of Naples and all of Italy.
The estimates - reports Coldiretti which was the protagonist of the largest collection of #PizzaUnesco signatures in support of last year's international recognition - speak of a 7% increase in tourist presences in Campania in 2018.
In addition to the historical flows of British, American, German and French holidaymakers, there has also been an increase in visitors from countries such as China, Russia and Argentina, particularly greedy for the Italian food and wine tradition.
Together with the celebrations in the square, Pizza Napoletana was discussed at the Department of Agriculture of the Federico II University on the occasion of the presentation of a poll survey on "The art of the Neapolitan piazziuolo" which was followed by two conferences on Unesco recognition in defense of a tradition with the intervention of the regional councilor for tourism, Corrado Matera, of the president of the Univerde foundation and promoter of the #pizzaUnesco petition, Alfonso Pecnario Scanio, and of the Neapolitan master pizza makers, Franco Pepe and Enzo Coccia. Another event is scheduled for tomorrow at the Naples Capodichino international airport with the inauguration of the #pizzaUnesco exhibition in the Art space on the first floor of the terminal. And another initiative is being planned at the Royal Palace of Portici, with a conference hosted by the Federico II Department of Agriculture which includes the participation of the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Alessandra Pesce, Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, Gaetano Daniele, Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Naples , the presidents of the Verace Pizza Napoletana associations, Antonio Pace, and Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, Sergio Miccu', and Gennaro Masiello, national vice president of Coldiretti.
Il turnover of the pizza sector in 2018 grew to values above 30 billion a year, which correspond to a turnover estimated at 15 billion. After the Unesco recognition they count 127.000 pizzerias in 2018 compared to the 125.300 surveyed in 2015 with Campania which - Coldiretti specifies - is the region that has the largest number of activities related to pizza, with 16% of the total pizzerias (and similar). A growth that supports employment estimated by Coldiretti in 2018 by 100.000 full-time employees and an equal number of 100.000 at the weekend.
The impact of the approx 5 million pizzas baked every day it is also felt on agri-food production in terms of ingredients used throughout the year with about 200 million kilos of flour, 225 million kilos of mozzarella, 30 million kilos of olive oil and 260 million kilos of tomato sauce which, also due to the boost of Unesco recognition, was protected in 2018 by the obligation to indicate the origin on the label, to prevent imported products from being passed off as Made in Italy.
Pingback: Unesco: Prosecco hills a World Heritage Site - FIRSTonline