Presentation

Festival | Presentation

Cerealia is a festival dedicated to all grains, just as they were honored in ancient Rome during the rites of the Vestal Virgins and the Ludi of Ceres. In a broader perspective, the festival extends to the countries of the Mediterranean basin, hence the subtitle Ceres and the Mediterranean. The ancient rituals of the Vestals and the Ludi of Ceres, reenacted in a scenic form, constitute the “Roman” element that characterizes each edition of the festival. The connection with the Mediterranean gives the event an international dimension, promoting intercultural exchange and annually twinning the festival with a different country. The Mediterranean has long been—and remains—a meeting point for countless societies, belonging to partially connected yet fundamentally distinct cultural systems. Cultural pluralism has been a lasting feature of the Mediterranean basin since ancient times. The festival aims not only to serve as a historical reenactment but also as a space for cultural exchange, addressing themes such as food, the environment, the economy, territories, and social life, all within the rich and varied context of the world of grains. Recognizing the significant nutritional, social, and economic value of cereals, Cerealia seeks to spread knowledge and awareness of the importance of the land and indigenous cultures, reconnecting production areas with consumers’ tables and rediscovering ancient customs rooted in respect for the land and its fruits. Moreover, the festival promotes the sharing of common challenges at the level of regional clusters among the peoples bordering the Mediterranean, encouraging the development of sustainable circular economy models and embracing the 17 SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda. It adopts a participatory, bottom-up approach that values the perspectives and expertise of civil society while respecting and safeguarding the Mediterranean ecosystem.