Terra Madre Salone del Gusto: A History of Slow Food's Global Gathering
At the heart of the global movement for sustainable eating lies a landmark event in Turin, Italy. What began as a focused exhibition of taste has evolved into a massive international assembly known as Terra Madre Salone del Gusto. This event serves as a vital intersection for those who produce, transform, and distribute food while adhering to the principles of environmental sustainability and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
The Evolution of a Global Movement
The journey began in 1996 with the first edition of the Salone del Gusto, hosted at the Lingotto Fiere conference center. This initial event focused on the celebration of taste and quality. However, as the vision of the Slow Food movement expanded, there was a growing need to connect the producers themselves.
In 2004, a parallel event called Terra Madre was introduced. This gathering focused specifically on food communities from across the globe, bringing together the people responsible for the sustainable lifecycle of our food.
Merging Visions and Expanding Horizons
By 2012, the organizers recognized that the celebration of taste (Salone del Gusto) and the community of producers (Terra Madre) were inseparable. Consequently, the two were combined into a single event. In 2016, the event was renamed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto to emphasize the primacy of the Terra Madre community.
That same year marked a significant shift in venue. For the first time, the event moved beyond the pavilions of Lingotto Fiere and spilled into the city center of Turin. The celebration occupied diverse locations, including the Parco del Valentino, the Royal Palace of Turin, the Teatro Carignano, Eataly, the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, the Museo Egizio, and various city squares.
Adapting to a Changing World
After a brief return to the Lingotto center in 2018, the event faced an unprecedented challenge in 2020. Due to the global pandemic, the physical gathering was suspended and replaced by a series of digital events held throughout the year to maintain the connection between food communities.
The physical event made a triumphant return to the streets of Turin in 2022, establishing a new home at Parco Dora. This location is slated to host the upcoming edition in September 2024.
Key Facts
- Inception: Salone del Gusto first launched in 1996.
- Terra Madre Launch: The producer-focused gathering began in 2004.
- Integration: The two events merged in 2012 and were renamed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in 2016.
- Core Values: Environmental sustainability and the maintenance of traditional knowledge.
- Current Venue: Parco Dora in Turin, Italy.
| Year | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | First Salone del Gusto | Lingotto Fiere |
| 2004 | Inaugural Terra Madre | Turin |
| 2012 | Events combined | Turin |
| 2016 | Renamed to Terra Madre Salone del Gusto | Turin City Center |
| 2020 | Physical event suspended | Online |
| 2022 | Return to physical format | Parco Dora |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of Terra Madre?
Terra Madre is a gathering of global food communities consisting of people who produce, transform, and distribute food based on environmental sustainability and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
Where is the event currently held?
Since 2022, the event has been held at Parco Dora in Turin, and it is expected to remain there for the September 2024 edition.
How did the event change during the 2020 pandemic?
The physical gathering was suspended in 2020 and was replaced by a series of online events that took place throughout the year.
When did the event move into the center of Turin?
In 2016, the event moved outside the Lingotto Fiere pavilions for the first time, utilizing various city landmarks such as the Royal Palace of Turin and the Museo Egizio.
What is the relationship between Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre?
Salone del Gusto began as a standalone event in 1996, while Terra Madre started in 2004. They were merged in 2012 and eventually renamed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in 2016 to highlight the importance of the producer community.