September brings new flavors and scents in Tuscany. The fall season approaches fast and summer dishes, events, fairs and happenings adapt to the change in seasons, bringing to towns and squares what the countryside of Tuscany has to offer. Like every year, villages, fractions and cities organize specific events to celebrate that particular crop, fruit, or typical local recipe traditionally made during that period of the year. Like in many other Italian regions, but we could say even more so in Tuscany, the peasant tradition of gathering to celebrate the gifts of the hard work in the fields is kept very much alive. Throughout the centuries celebrations have of course changed their aspect, but the spirit has remained loyal to the original. The grandeur and organization varies a lot from fair to fair, but all share the same down-to-earth approach to newcomers and a sincere desire to get together and enjoy the present.
Below is a list of fairs in Tuscany during the month of September 2009. Do check them out if you happen to be in or near a town where a fair is being held. You will discover an important side of Tuscany, its people and its culture.
Province of Arezzo:
-In Monte San Savino from the 13th to the 14th is the Sagra of Porchetta (roasted pork). A must try, if you have not already.
Province of Florence:
-In Lastra a Signa from the 10th to the 20th is held Pomarium, celebrating amateur orchard growing and antique plants of Tuscany.
-In Florence is Arte Firenze from the 25th to the 28th, in Fortezza DaBasso with modern and contemporary art.
-Impruneta celebrates grapes with the Festa dell’Uva on the 28th, while for vegetarians and vegans is seitan celebration day on the 17th
-In Scarperia the tortello filled pasta is heralded its own fair on the 6th and 7th.
-Greve in Chianti from the 7th to the 9th helds the fair of Chianti Classico, with the area’s wine farms participating to the event.
-If you like Portabella mushrooms, or Porcini, the Sagra del Fungo Porcino is held in Borgo San Lorenzo from the 11th to the 14th.
-On the 14th in Palazzuolo sul Senio fettunta, (aka bruschetta) has its own fair at Pane Olio e Fantasia.
-In Castelfiorentino the Giorno più Dolce dell’Anno (sweetest day of the year) brings all the typical sweets, pastries and cakes of the surroundings.
-Pork meat is celebrated in all recipes in Campi Bisenzio from the 27th to the 28th.
Province of Carrara:
-Held at Carrarafiere, the even mixes Tuscan and Bavarian cultures with beer, food, artisan work, and folklore from August 29th to September 12th.
Province of Grosseto:
-In Catabbio the Fair of Polenta is from the 4th to the 6th.
-Fettunta has another fair celebrating it in Montegiovi on the 25th.
Province of Livorno:
-Livorno holds the Festa dell’Uva di Collinaia, a town nearby, from the 7th to the 11th.
Province of Lucca:
-In Barga Polenta is also protagonist of a fair, but this time is eaten with bird-based sauces only at Polenta e Uccelli.
Province of Pisa:
-Hare has always been a delicacy in Tuscany. Terricciola has the Sagra della Lepre (hare) from September 23 to the 8th of October.
Province of Prato:
-The Sagra dell’Uva of Montemurlo celebrates wine grapes from August 26 to September 6th.
-In Carmignano figs are the protagonists from the 2nd to the 14th.
-Schignano holds Polenta and Funghi (mushrooms) on the 21st.
-Vernio also celebrates wine grapes on the 14th.
-In the city of Prato bakers make bread creations and instruct on how to make Tuscan bread with live demos from the 16th to the 17th.
Province of Siena:
-Its a sweet fair in Montalcino with the Week of Honey from the 7th to the 9th.
-Montepulciano holds the Vin Santo and Ciambello fair (sweet aged wine and local pastries) from the 22nd to the 24th.
-In Chiusi the Wine and Grape Fair is celebrated from the 23rd to the 30th.
-Asciano is very much alive for one on the 11th with its Mercatino delle Crete, where modern and antique come together in a street market.
-Buonconvento is the epicenter of the Val d’Arbia, therefore holding the Val d’Arbia Fair from the 26th to the 30th.
Start discussion »
Leave a Reply