PARMA FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 2,000 YEARS OF HISTORY

20.08.2008

From August 30 to September 21, visitors are invited to participate in the eleventh annual Festival del Prosciutto di Parma. The main event: an opportunity to go behind the scenes in a dozen prosciuttifici, watching the maestro salatore (“salt master”) and other skilled artisans prepare and care for whole pork legs that will, after lengthy curing, become Prosciutto di Parma. It’s called Finestre Aperte (“open windows”) referring not only to the public tours, but to the traditional method that calls for the long windows in a typical prosciuttificio to be opened whenever the weather permits, allowing aromatic breezes to flow over the hams—a step that contributes to the unique flavor of the hams.

In addition to the great food, the festival includes theatrical and other cultural events and activities for all family members. New this year will be a grand fiesta in Parma at the close of the Festival.  The complete program can be viewed at www.festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.com.

Festival goers can also visit the Prosciutto di Parma museum located in Langhirano’s ancient Forum Boarium between the old town and the Parma river. In the heart of the prosciutto-making production zone, they can trace the history of this illustrious ham back to the 2nd century B.C., when the Parma area became known for its hams. One “secret” of its success in antiquity was proximity to the high-quality sea salt needed to cure the hams. Historical documents show that, through the centuries, Prosciutto di Parma was displayed proudly on the tables of medieval nobility, Renaissance princes and prosperous merchants. Now, of course, this superb ham is appreciated all over the world.

The prosciuttifici and museum tours end with a tasting of Prosciutto di Parma and other salumi from the Parma area. For more information, visit www.festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.com.

The Parma Ham Museum is one of a number of Food Museums in the province. There is also the Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese in Soragna, the Salumi Museum in Felino and the Tomato Museum in Collecchio.
For further information: www.museidelcibo.it 

For more information and photos, email ufficiostampa@prosciuttodiparma.com

- top -