Bardolino and Taranto Connect Through Water, Sport and Culture With Dolce & Salato

Bardolino and Taranto have launched the “Dolce & Salato. Stessa acqua, stesso cuore” project, a symbolic twinning linking Lake Garda and the Mediterranean Sea through sport, culture and hospitality. The initiative was presented on August 10, 2026 by the Municipality of Bardolino and is set within the run-up to the 2026 Mediterranean Games, as well as Bardolino’s bid to become Italian Capital of Culture in 2029.

The project is designed to connect two geographically distant territories with a shared identity tied to water, using it as a bridge for dialogue between North and South Italy. It also forms part of Bardolino’s broader strategy for the 2029 cultural bid, focusing on national networks, experience exchanges and long-term benefits for the communities involved, in coordination with the Comune di Bardolino.

At the center are two sporting traditions: voga alla veneta, reflecting Garda culture, and dragon boat, a discipline with a strong presence in Taranto through the women’s teams Pink Lady. The meeting between the two disciplines is presented as a tool for inclusion beyond competition, with boats, techniques and local stories used to foster wider community participation, alongside a related awareness message tied to the fight against cancer.
Italian Version