An online celebration of pizza is taking place across the world today (17th January) with a 24-hour live ‘marathon’ organised by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN – Real Neapolitan Pizza Association).
Italy is leading the celebrations of one of its most popular culinary creations on World Pizza Day.
A multitude of events include a 24-hour ‘marathon’ live on Facebook and Instagram organised by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. This involves 15 countries and 12 different languages.
Included are a series of pizza ‘master classes’ and a ceremony for journalists who have promoted the ‘culture of pizza’.
Pizzerie lost billions in 2021
The farmers’ association Coldiretti reported Italy’s pizzerie (pizza restaurants) lost around €2.5 billion in 2021. This was due to covid restrictions. But the love of pizza did not decline. One of the biggest Google searches of 2021 was ‘how to make homemade pizza’.
However, Blue Monday – as today is known in the northern hemisphere – may be less so for both pizza establishments and their clients as they enjoy this bread-based meal.
This year it falls on 17th January, Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate or Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, also known as Saint Anthony the Great. He is, among others, the patron of bakers and pizza makers.
If you’re wondering what to eat tonight, why not turn to pizza, dispel the blues and help Italy’s pizzerie.
Buon appetito!
