UNISG celebrated its twentieth anniversary with an international community of alumni, students, researchers, companies, and institutions.

Twenty Years of Pollenzo 

The University of Gastronomic Sciences celebrated its twentieth anniversary in Pollenzo with an international community of alumni, students, researchers, companies, and institutions.

From Wednesday, May 29 to Monday, June 3, Pollenzo hosted a series of celebratory events, initiatives, and meetings that brought together thousands of people from around the globe, all gathered by the common factor of UNISG.

The festivities began on the evening of May 29 with a gathering of scholarship supporters and beneficiaries. This annual tradition was particularly joyful due to the special occasion. On May 30, the university held an Open Day for companies to learn about its various opportunities for development, research, and innovation.

The grand opening ceremony featured a presentation on food education, attracting hundreds of representatives from the Italian agri-food sector and rectors from numerous universities.

Additionally, there were conferences, UNISG Talks, masterclasses, workshops, entertainment, a film festival, alumni reunions, and farmers' and artisans' markets.

Carlo Petrini shared his thoughts after the celebrations, expressing that the event exceeded all expectations. Approximately 4,000 people attended, representing almost 500 entities and companies, and about 400 alumni returned to celebrate. Petrini praised the passion, joy, and active participation of the staff and students. He also expressed his gratitude for the numerous messages of thanks he received and hoped that the positive energy from the event would continue to energize the Pollenzo community.

Here are some numbers from the celebration:

• Over 100 prospective students, their families, and visitors toured the facility over three days.
• Approximately 800 people represented about 500 entities and companies.
• 400 alumni returned to Pollenzo and participated as exhibitors in the market with 19 companies of former students.
• 17 workshops were held by alumni, with an additional five conducted by current students.
• Over 300 spectators attended a show dedicated to the history of wine in the territory of Langa Roero Monferrato.
• 100 wineries participated in the event, involving approximately 250 young people under 30.
• Every lab activity was sold out, with 550 participants in total.
• The Masterclasses reached their maximum capacity of 60 people at the Food Lab.
• The 16 UNISG Talks had an audience of 500 spectators.
• 400 people watched the performance of "Babette's Feast" by Lella Costa.
• Over 300 people attended a dialogue between Stefano Boeri and Carlo Petrini.
• Over 100 spectators attended the award ceremony of the Hungry Minds Film Festival.

Several notable guests attended the event, including Barbara Nappini, Sveva Sagramola, Alessandro Barbero, Luca Mercalli, Luciana Castellina, Daniele Lucchetti, Carla Signoris, Roy Menarini, Lella Costa, and Stefano Boeri.