As part of the “Local Dialogues on the EU – Bringing Europe Closer to Local Communities”, held at the WeGil in Rome, Origine Comune – a project by ANCI Lazio dedicated to promoting Municipal Designations of Origin (De.Co.) – organised the event’s official lunch, featuring a tasting of products and recipes from across the Lazio region.
The initiative, organised by the Lazio Regional Council, brought together representatives from European, national, regional and local institutions for a day of discussion dedicated to Europe’s role in community development. In this context, the President of the Lazio Regional Council, Antonello Aurigemma, expressed his appreciation for the tasting organised by Origine Comune, recognising its value as a means of promoting regional excellence and local identities.
The social event was conceived as a journey through the flavours of Lazio, with a gastronomic experience centred on a selection of De.Co. products and traditional recipes, each of which tells the story of the history, culture and distinctive characteristics of the municipalities from which they originate. It was an opportunity to demonstrate how the region’s food and wine heritage represents a fundamental element of the communities’ identity and an effective tool for promoting the local areas.
Every De.Co. product embodies a history rooted in traditions, expertise, artisanal production and ties to the local area. Promoting these products means supporting local economies, preserving intangible cultural heritage and strengthening communities’ sense of belonging, transforming local excellence into opportunities for sustainable development and boosting tourism appeal.
The ‘Origine Comune’ project, promoted by ANCI Lazio, was set up precisely with this aim in mind: to support local authorities in recognising and promoting their own municipal designations, by creating a network capable of bringing together local authorities, producers and citizens, so that local specialities become a shared heritage and a driver of growth for the entire region.
Taking part in the “Local Dialogues on the EU” was therefore much more than just a tasting event: it was a concrete demonstration of how food can become a universal language capable of expressing the identity of local areas, fostering dialogue between institutions and highlighting the role of local councils in safeguarding their traditions.
Through initiatives such as this, Origine Comune continues to promote a vision that places the cultural and food and wine heritage of Lazio at the centre, helping to raise awareness of and foster appreciation for De.Co. products as an authentic expression of the history, traditions and identity of local communities.