by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Serena Tonel, deputy mayor of Trieste; Ivo Bozzatto, director of Coldiretti
This Sunday, October 19, Piazza Ponterosso will host a celebration of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s agricultural heritage as the Campagna Amica Tour FVG brings together producers from across the region — from Alpine pastures to coastal farms — for a day dedicated to local food and craft skills.
Organized by Coldiretti FVG and the Campagna Amica network, in collaboration with the Municipality of Trieste, the event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and feature 17 regional businesses. Visitors will have the chance to taste and purchase zero-kilometer products — from artisanal pasta and organic whole grains to mountain-fresh eggs from Malborghetto — as well as explore locally made cosmetics, herbal supplements, and craft beverages.
“The city of Trieste is pleased to welcome this extraordinary initiative in one of its most historically significant squares,” said Deputy Mayor Serena Tonel during the press conference presenting the event. “Despite its small size, our territory contributes niche products such as extra-virgin olive oil. The city administration is proud to promote events like this, recognizing that Trieste serves as a showcase for all of Friuli Venezia Giulia and plays an important role in supporting a vital national sector.”
Tonel emphasized the broader significance of agriculture for both the local and national economy, noting its direct impact on citizens’ quality of life through food and biodiversity. “The agricultural sector remains a cornerstone of the Italian economy,” she said, referencing data shared by Coldiretti’s national president. “Public institutions have a duty to promote understanding of a sector increasingly challenged by environmental and economic factors, and Campagna Amica Tour FVG helps bring those issues into the public square.”
Representatives from Coldiretti Trieste and Campagna Amica Gorizia–Trieste, including director Ivo Bozzato and regional coordinator Deborah Zuliani, also spoke at the event launch.
Among the 17 exhibitors will be three mountain producers — Armo 1191, Vuerich, and Malga Polpazza — along with six from the Friulian and Pordenone plains, including Fattoria Giambuc and Caseificio San Gregorio. The Isontino area will be represented by Blasizza, Ross, and 4PR, while the Carso plateau will feature Devetak, Silene, and Gruden-Zbogar. Trieste’s own Muzina will also participate, joined by a guest producer from neighboring Veneto presenting the region’s signature aglione garlic.
The event marks the third Trieste stop of the traveling Campagna Amica Tour, which returns to the city’s center this year in Piazza Ponterosso — slightly relocated from its previous venue, Piazza Sant’Antonio, due to ongoing renovations.
The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between consumers and local producers, highlighting the values of transparency, seasonality, and sustainability that define Friuli Venezia Giulia’s agricultural landscape. Visitors can expect to explore a wide range of regional specialties, including cheeses, honey, cured meats, wines, preserves, and aromatic herbs — a flavorful return to Trieste’s historical role as a marketplace for the finest products of the region.
