October 12, also known as Chocoday, is World Chocolate Day, a special occasion to celebrate one of the most beloved foods around the world. This holiday aims to honor chocolate not only as a food, but also as a symbol of culture. World Chocolate Day has an interesting history: it was initially proposed on July 7, 2009 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, when the first report on cocoa cultivation in West Africa was published. However, the holiday only gained its official recognition in 2012, when it was included in the official UN calendar.
Chocolate is very important in Perugia because of the favorite dessert known throughout Italy, the Baci Perugina, but also and especially because of Eurochocolate, which is being celebrated right now, from October 13 to 22, 2023. The event will take place inside Umbria Fiere, in Bastia Umbria (easily reached by Train). Eurochocolate originated thanks to the idea of architect Eugenio Guarducci who, visiting the Oktoberfest in Munich, thought of bringing a similar event to Perugia, but with chocolate. Inside the many pavilions of the Festival, in fact, you will be able to taste different types of artisanal chocolate, in multiple forms and textures, as well as witness the very history of chocolate and its creation. This year there will be several pavilions between "Experience," "Show" and "Funny," with also the installation of the "Italy of Chocolate," 13 meters long and dedicated to Made in Italy, with Piedmontese excellences such as gianduiotto and Modica chocolate. Guests will include Ernst Knam and his wife Frau Knam, along with several pastry chefs such as Luca Montersino, who will present his new line of ice creams for the occasion.
For more info: www.eurochocolate.com