Barese pasta artisans defend tradition against authenticity claims
In the Italian city, women have been protesting the handmade production and sale of orecchiette pasta. The strike was a response to media suggestions questioning the authenticity of their products.
18 November 2024 11:38
Traditional pasta is produced in the Apulian city of Bari. One of the unique attractions of the historic city centre is the fresh, homemade orecchiette sold directly on the streets and alleys. The pasta, whose name means "little ears," is made in the homes of many families, and its production and sale are an integral part of the local culture and tradition, attracting tourists from all over the world.
They opposed media reports
On Sunday, November 17th, protests continued in the Italian city by women involved in the handmade production and sale of this pasta. The Italian women closed their homes and stands.
The organized protests were a reaction to allegations appearing in the media, including social media, that the pasta is not homemade but produced industrially. Additionally, claims that their kitchens do not meet hygiene standards were met with outrage from local hostesses.
The most famous hostess in Bari, Nunzia, firmly denies all accusations.
"There is no scam, they are artisanal dried orecchiette, they are all handmade but we have to dry them for hygiene reasons. Tourists take them to Paris, to America, and they need them to be very dry [...] so they do not spoil during transport," she explains.
Italian women fight for their good name
The protesting women emphasize that they only want to be able to work in peace, continuing a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Addressing the situation, the mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, noted that the city authorities wish to protect cultural heritage and support those who nurture it.
"We aren't a cultural mecca like Florence or Rome. It is the traditional activity in the historic centre that gives this place allure," he emphasized, as quoted by local media.
