Verona Olive Oil Festival Highlights Amid Attendance Drop Due to Flu
Less exhibitors compared to previous editions due to the effects of the influenza, which has recently affected much of the province of Verona. This was the main factor characterizing the two days dedicated to olive oil, organized by the Comune di Torri, in collaboration with Coldiretti, the Comunità Montana del Baldo, the Comunità Montana del Carda, and the Provincia.
Beyond the interesting cultural moments related to the conference, the two days were overall positive, according to the summary by Giorgio Consolini, a former city councilor and essentially the founder of the event. “The influenza this year,” he commented, “played a nasty trick on us, as we received many phone calls from exhibitors ‘stuck’ in bed. Nonetheless, I would say that the level of the ‘Festa dell’olio’ was good.”
In particular, besides the conference where olive growers and sector experts could exchange ideas, initiatives of interest were launched that we plan to develop in future editions, such as the competition open to elementary and middle school students, which received the sponsorship of the Province’s Department of Culture.”
The voices of the protagonists and future initiatives
“Every year,” said Onorevole Ettore Peretti, who participated in the conference, “we try to improve olive oil, continually pushing the limits achieved further. It is now clear to everyone that the touristic conditions of the lake, while privileged, are not enough on their own to withstand competition from foreign countries, such as those of the former Yugoslavia.”
Hence the need to enhance tourism offerings with aspects of agriculture and the improvement of one of Garda’s most prized products: olive oil.”
Also expressing satisfaction was Mayor of Torri, Alberto Vedovelli, who emphasized that “in just a few years, this event has earned a position of respect at the provincial level” and has effectively managed to “promote and combine the agricultural, technical, and tourism aspects.”
In addition to tastings of bruschette with olive oil distributed in the piazza del porto, there were guided visits to two millstones — one owned by Paolo Giacometti in Torri and the other in Calmasino, operated by the Turri brothers.
