POLLICA
Overlooking olive groves towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, the town of Pollica (Campania, Southern Italy) is the beating heart and the perfect symbol of the Mediterranean Diet.
A heritage of science, traditional knowledge, skills and identity values generated by a territory that is a natural laboratory of terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
The rhythms of life of its 2,300 inhabitants are based on skills, knowledge, rituals and traditions focused on sharing and eating food, in perfect balance between food landscape and food identity. It is here that the Humana Communitas lives, marking its presence in behavioural patterns and food-related experiences. Not surprisingly, it is from here that Ancel and Margaret Keys began their studies on the local centenary population, finding in food the secret of their longevity and well-being. Moreover, it is in Velia (today’s Ascea) that in the sixth century B.C. the Eleatics School was born. A school of philosophy that reflected on Being, the most authentic core of world knowledge. Being many things at the same time. A way of being extremely modern, which embodies the ability to recognize connections and to deal with the complexity of our world. A world that we can live through the power of conviviality: eating, the act we do every day, is a convivial act. And here, on the tables of the Mediterranean, assumes a very special role.
"(Ri)starting from Pollica is a declaration of renewed responsibility. The path traced with incredible foresight, consistency and concreteness by the mayor Angelo Vassallo is a source of great inspiration for those who are called to create the future and form positive agents of change. Its history teaches us that it is necessary to start from the protection of the territory, from the care of the earth and from the respect of the nature in order to plan a prosperous future for the community. Today, in the aftermath of a pandemic that has upset the world balance, following the path traced by a pioneer, a true example for the new generations and in a territory that is the cradle of our culture, model of enhancement of biodiversity and symbol of the struggle for the protection of the environment, every educational experience takes on a unique value that allows us to understand how places, as well as politics, can help build a better future."
