The Embassy of Italy in Moldova staged in Chisinau the eighth Week of Italian Cuisine in the World as part of an important series of thematic activities held in the period in a number of localities and states on all the continents, IPN reports.
“As for Moldova, the agrifood sector is a driving force of economic growth for Italy too. In 2022, a record of about €60 billion exports was hit and the tendency is upward. In 2023 too, Italy keeps the European record for the number of agrifood products with protected designations of origins and geographical indications recognized by the European Union, with 315 products and 526 protected wines. In 2010, the Mediterranean Diet that includes the Italian cuisine was added to the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year, the Italian cuisine itself was nominated for being included in the UNESCO list for its sustainability and bio-cultural diversity that make it distinct by quality, taste and a healthy and balanced lifestyle,” Italy’s Ambassador to Moldova Lorenzo Tomassoni stated in the event.
According to the diplomat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic has been directly involved in the promotion of the Italian cuisine in the world, in close cooperation with the network of ICE ffices, the Italian Trade Agency ITA, which contributed to organizing the event. “In Italy, they devote a lot of energy to the promotion of cuisine. A week ago, the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Antonio Tajani signed an important agreement of cooperation with the President of the Italian Chefs Federation Rocco Pozzulo,” said Lorenzo Tomassoni.
This year, they presented the specific features of the Italian cuisine of Piedmont region in Chisinau.
“As you know, Italy consists of 20 wonderful regions that are all different from each other. Each of them has its own traditions and ethno-gastronomic specialties and the own bio-cultural diversity. Piedmont is a great region that is home to many Moldovans and where there is Mont Blanc, shared with France, which is the highest mountain in Europe with its 4,805 meters in height. Piedmont is a region that holds great ethno-gastronomic, landscape and architectural interest and is of great historical significance as namely there the process of unifying Italy started and namely there the first capital of Italy was based, in Torino city,” said the Italian diplomat.
He noted that all the products were brought directly from Italy and were prepared by renowned Italian chefs who came to Chisinau for the purpose. A concert at the event was given by Italian artists and Moldovan artists of the National Opera House “Maria Bieșu” of Chisinau, tenor Simone Frediani and his wife, soprano Rodica Picireanu, mezzosoprano Marina Dobrescu, being accompanied at piano by master Natalia Lasicov.
