In the United States, autumn is the season filled with pumpkins, football and falling leaves, but in another corner of the planet, an entire continent turns its focus towards a delicacy shared by communities around the world: chocolate. Comfortably situated in the Umbrian hills of Italy, one can find Perugia; college town, ground zero for the Amanda Knox scandal, and for one week only in October (18-26), chocolate capitol of the world.
Manufacturers from around Europe bring their tasty treats to the ancient city center of Perugia to celebrate the various traditions and methods associated with the production and consumption of chocolate. The narrow cobble stoned streets are packed to capacity with Italians and foreigners alike, sampling old favorites like Perugina’s Baci and innovative creations by Lindt. One of the most anticipated events of Eurochocolate (as it is officially called) is a type of performance art, or rather, an opportunity to see some of Italy’s most talented artists take a stab at using a most unconventional material to create art.
On the first Sunday of the festival, each artist is given 1.24-ton block of dark chocolate provided by the nearby Perugina factory, which they hack, chisel and manipulate into glorious, edible artistic visions. Before a curious and gleeful public and with only 8 hours in which to do it, each artist carves away at the enormous mass to reveal a unique sculpture inspired by this year’s theme, Tablò Perugina.
Recent years have seen the creation of life sized chocolate Fiat 500, the Roman Coliseum, even a giant video game controller. The sculpture event is particularly appealing in a country whose identity is so firmly rooted in both food and art.
These consumable creations remain on display through the end of the festival. Visitors to this year’s Eurochocolate will enjoy the creative chocolate styling of Massimo Arzilli, Maria Rosaria Caramia, Livio Paolantoni and Doru Emil Andrii, who represent a spectrum of varied artistic approaches from the classical to the modern.
For more information and daily pictures of this event and more http://w2.eurochocolate.com/perugia2014
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