Author: Redazione AEVF

 Crossing the Via Francigena in the province of Parma is a journey in the kingdom of Parmigiano Reggiano. From June, three information signs will be found in Fidenza, Medesano and Berceto.

“You’re in the Land of Parmigiano Reggiano“: this is the message launched to tourists and pilgrims travelling along the cultural route of the Council of Europe. The initiative, created by Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano, the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF), Studio Guidotti and Fidenza, Medesano and Berceto, is part of the “Sosta & Gusta” project, thought of to allow pilgrims to get to know the unique wholesomeness and characteristics of Italian excellences known around the world.

“Integrating the Via Francigena with the areas it crosses and the enogastronomic products which characterise them is a crucial strategic choice for the strengthening and growth of this important route which crosses the heart of Europe. In Fidenza, we are deeply convinced that this is the right road to take and the touristic flow data of 2018 (+43,1% compared to 2017) prove this.” Underlines Andrea Massari, mayor of Fidenza.

“We gladly joined this initiative which enhances the greatness of Parmigiano Reggiano and the Via Francigena, important promotional vehicle for our lands, products and tourism in general – says Michele Giovanelli, mayor of Medesano – The sign has been erected in piazza Marconi, where the town hall can also be found, a central area where pilgrims pass – attentive observers and first-hand ambassadors of taste.“

 “They say that publicity is the spirit of commerce and so a sign advertising the supreme Parmigiano Reggiano, known all over the world, just shows the success of the Via Francigena and the potential of an increase in the number of pilgrims we attract each year. I love and approve of this initiative also because pilgrims are consumers of this nutritious and natural product.” Highlights Luigi Lucchi, mayor of Berceto.

 “This ambitious project, born in 2017 from the historic collaboration with the Consorzio, is an excellent example of twinning two protagonists of healthy living: the Via Francigena, UNESCO heritage candidate, and Parmigiano Reggiano, universally known as a product of incomparable quality and a very helpful ally for pilgrims in their constant need for energy.” Says Massimo Tedeschi, EAVF president. 

“For over 900 years, Parmigiano Reggiano has accompanied pilgrims along the Via Francigena – confirms Nicola Bertinelli, president of Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano – Little has changed along the route since then: Parmigiano Reggiano is born from the same three ingredients – milk, salt and rennet – without any preservatives or additives. Thanks to the ‘Sosta & Gusta’ project, pilgrims can now rest at our cheese factories, tasting a product which, as well as being delicious, is also very digestible, full of minerals and naturally lactose-free.”

The first part of the project involved the cheese factories which would welcome visitors and explain the phases of work. Now we want to broaden the initiative, identifying rest and sales points of Parmigiano Reggiano close to the Francigena in the section from Fidenza to the Passo della Cisa. Pilgrims will be able to taste the cheese, savouring the different aging and biodiversity of the cheese (Vacca Rossa, Vacca Bruna, Bianca Modenese, Montagna, Halal and Kosher) without diverting from the route.

To help pilgrims find these points, a map of the Fidenza – Passo della Cisa section has been created, with recommendations of the various addresses. Another useful tool is the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) website and app, as well as in the pages dedicated to the Sosta & Gusta project.

There are still a few days left for video makers, walkers and travellers to take part in the 2019 edition of “Gargano DOC – Documentary School on Paths and Cultural Routes“, to be held from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th July 2019 in the former Sansone Barracks at the Umbra Forest and in various locations of the Gargano National Park.

The School, part of the activities planned for the second edition of “Mònde – Cinema Festival on the Paths“, was created and organised by “MAD – Memories Audiovisual of Daunia“, while the training activities have been entrusted to Istituto Luce-Cinecittà.

There are five training modules planned:

• Documentary direction by director David di Donatello, Director of the Archivio Luce Historical, Roland Sejko;
• Documentary editing by Luca Onorati, Documentary editor of Istituto Luce-Cinecittà;
• Documentary production by Maura Cosenza, Head of documentary productions of Istituto Luce-Cinecittà;
• Research, access, use of archive materials and the Luce-Cinecittà Historical Archive, by Cristiano Migliorelli, Istituto Luce-Cinecittà sales manager;
• “Constructors of Paths”: pitch with walkers, pilgrims, cultural operators and institutional representatives to share stories and experiences and provide an exhaustive picture of the map of Paths and Cultural Routes present in Italy. In collaboration with “Monte Sant’Angelo Francigena“.

The aim of the School will be to provide participants with the theoretical, methodological and technical skills necessary for the creation of short travel documentaries/reportages that narrate Italian Paths and Cultural Routes.

Interested parties may submit their application proposals by sending a motivational letter to info@mondefest.it with the subject: CANDIDATURA GARGANO DOC 2019.
The deadline to apply is 12.00 on Saturday 6th July 2019.

For more info, download the complete announcement on the Mònde website.

From 24th June to 20th July 2019, the “IL PALAZZETTO SULLA FRANCIGENA” guest house will promote this initiative for pilgrims travelling to Formello.

Pilgrims who collect at least 15 plastic bottles along the Via Francigena will benefit from the project.

The project aims to help keep our Francigena clean, encouraging over-night stays for pilgrims and travellers, with a discount of 5.00 € with the Pilgrim Passport.

The 2019 edition of the European Festival “Vie Francigene, Cammini, Ways, Chemins 2019” is dedicated to the theme “The feminine way. Sensitivity in Human and Natural Landscapes”. One experience this year is that of Cristina Menghini, pilgrim, president of the non-profit association Walking on the Via Francigena and environmental hiking guide.

The interview – Cristina Menghini: With more than 30,000 km of road under your feet

“Can you cage a bird that wants to fly free? The Road for me is like wings that give me the opportunity to live life fully, in a continuous search for an encounter with myself and the beauty of the world. It’s a great love that, like the North Star, directs my thoughts and actions towards achieving an increasingly light and sustainable lifestyle. It is my instrument of free action, free and conscious action, in my aim to improve myself and the reality that surrounds me. And it could be for everyone!

The Road is in fact a great experience that involves every aspect of being, both physically and intimately; a process of transforming the heart, the mind and the spirit, which occurs through the effort and acceptance of our own limits, an encounter with the diversity of our neighbours and the emotions experienced at each step. A curious and attentive step, ready to get involved and keen on contact with nature, sharing and comparing, but always with respect.

Walking slowly for several hours every day in contact with nature, is an activity that not only trains the body, but frees the mind and raises the spirit. As our eyes get lost in the beauty of our surroundings, our hearts calm down, relieving stress and bringing us back to a state of serenity. Walking immediately becomes a way to “switch off”, making us return to our time and to the spaces nature gives us. Step by step, our focus shifts from the problems of a hectic and conditioned life to the appreciation of small gestures, while our minds allows us time to think and reflect, thus stimulating new ideas and points of view. Our hearts lighten the sufferings of the past and focus on the emotion of the present, while the beauty we encounter along the Way begins to vibrate in our soul.

Over time, the Road makes us slow down and regain that lost dimension, made up of smiles and helping hands, of sincere emotions and gratitude, of simple and shared gestures, and lightness and essentiality. A “modus vivendi” that once found should no longer be lost; inevitably generating a positive change in our existence, and consequently, in that of the people we visit.

How many people have returned from their journeys wanting to rethink or transform their lives? For me, the Way was such an enlightening experience that it became not only one of my main tools for personal well-being but also a great opportunity to serve others.

My work as a hiking guide and as a “walking promoter” aims to promote and share the benefits of this incredible experience as an exceptional instrument to get to know the self and a world that can be transformed into a great opportunity for reflection, for inner dialogue and personal growth with the consequent improvement of our psycho-physical well-being and lifestyle.

Think about it for a moment. Can you imagine living without something that changed your life for the better?”