URBAN REGENERATION THROUGH TRADITIONAL FOLK EVENTS. "DO FOOD FESTIVALS RECONVERT THE TERRITORY?"

The massive consumption of resources causes significant changes in landscapes and affects the regenerative capacity of agricultural land, contributing to the deterioration of the territorial, economic and social conditions of geographically disadvantaged areas. A useful, albeit unusual, tool for limiting resource waste, revitalising the area and regenerating the land is the use of local food systems, expressed in the form of food festivals. Food and wine events in themselves do not directly improve disadvantaged communities, but combined with marketing techniques they act as a glue between agro-ecological practices and urban regeneration. In fact, by offering typical local agri-food products, it is possible to channel the flow of visitors to the various sites, favouring an economic influx which, in turn, influences socio-territorial regeneration. The aim of the study is to investigate the value of local agri-food events and their contribution to socioterritorial regeneration. The work carried out consists of examining official data on Italian agri-food performance over several years and collecting information and first-hand accounts of the various food festivals in the South.