Matera 2019: Food and Community Projects

The Mammamiaaa project, co-produced with Associazione Casa Netural, launched in Matera in March 2019 with the Social Food Forum curated by John Thackara. The forum included a social food atlas, a meeting of European social food curators, and a Social Food Green Paper. Outcomes included a special wall and garden installed between March and June. On September 7, the final dinner La Uasciazz brought participants together for knowledge exchange. A digital archive of recipes and stories from thousands across Europe now serves as a bridge between communities. Separately, La Terra del Pane focuses on bread-making, reviving collective baking traditions. The initiative includes events and exhibitions, most recently Tutti i pani del mondo curated by Andrea Del Guercio. The historic oven in Sasso Barisano, restored by Fondazione Sassi, is the epicenter. The festival runs October 12-20 with concerts, screenings, workshops, and the premiere of a play by Teatro delle Ariette commissioned by Fondazione Sassi. Original productions include a new magazine-book co-published with La nave di Teseo, featuring authors Roberto Cotroneo, Massimo Donà, Ermanno Cavazzoni, and Elisabetta Sgarbi. Three exhibitions partner with Gallerie degli Uffizi, Università della Basilicata, and Istituto Luce Cinecittà.