From June 29 to July 3, Naples, Italy, will host a grand celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN). This five-day event will bring together renowned pizza makers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to honor the history and global influence of Neapolitan pizza.
The festival will take place at AVPN’s headquarters in Capodimonte, featuring tastings, conferences, and exclusive dinners that highlight the diversity and richness of Neapolitan pizza. Antonio Pace, president of AVPN, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, “This anniversary is a testament to our association’s success and the global appreciation of pizza. We are thrilled to celebrate with our members and pizza enthusiasts worldwide.”
One of the event’s highlights is “A True Pairing,” focusing on the innovative combination of pizza and wine. Over four evenings, AVPN’s master pizza makers will present unique menus paired with carefully selected wines. The first night, “A Beginning in Delicacy,” moderated by Luciana Squadrilli, will feature seafood pizzas crafted by chefs from Chile, Brazil, Japan, and the USA.
The second evening, “Elegance and Complexity,” will showcase vegetable pizzas, with renowned pizzaioli Attilio Bachetti, Stefano Cafasso, Antonio and Ciro Coppola, and Gaetano Genovesi. The third night, “Un’Esperienza Frizzante,” will highlight fried pizzas, with contributions from Carmine Apetino, Enrico and Carlo Alberto Lombardi, Salvatore Piccirillo, and Salvatore Salvo.
From June 29 to July 2, the “Neapolitan Pizza Maker for a Day” masterclasses will offer pizza lovers a hands-on experience in pizza making. Participants will learn about the history and techniques of Neapolitan pizza, guided by AVPN’s skilled artisans.
On July 1, AVPN will take Neapolitan pizza to new heights, literally. A team of master pizza makers will ascend Mont Blanc, preparing pizza at the summit of the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car. This unique event symbolizes the limitless potential of Neapolitan pizza.
The festival will conclude on July 3 with “A True Story,” a conference at the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa. This event will explore the history and future of Neapolitan pizza, featuring discussions on its cultural significance and global reach. Notable speakers include Nicola Caputo, Gennarino Esposito, Barbara Nappini, and Joe Fugere.
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Campania Region, and the City of Naples, along with prestigious partners such as Acunto Forni, Caputo, Ciao, Cirio, and many others. Technical partners include AIS Campania, Jungle Juice ADV, and Sokan Communication.
As Naples prepares to host this grand celebration, the world eagerly anticipates the Days of True Neapolitan Pizza, a fitting tribute to the art and tradition of pizza making.