The journalism award dedicated to the memory of Ivano Pocchiesa, who passed away in 2013, returns again this year, organized by Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and the Associazione Bellunesi nel Mondo. From 1990 to 1995 he was head of the press office of Longarone Fiere, author of articles and books on ice cream.
The event is scheduled for Sunday 23 March at 2:00 pm in Longarone, on the occasion of Agrimont, the national mountain agriculture fair.
Awarded since 2014 to a journalist or writer who has distinguished himself for the attention paid to the world of artisanal ice cream and the dissemination of news that have underlined its economic and social value, the 2025 edition of the Prize is awarded to Angelo Grasso, from Milan, an important figure in the world of artisanal ice cream thanks to the great contribution given and that he continues to give to the growth and valorization of the sector, especially through the intense activity of teacher training in over a thousand courses, author of many articles that continue to appear in industry magazines, without forgetting his highly appreciated publications.
Recently, for his valuable professional and educational contribution to the sector, he received a special certificate of esteem from the Bravo company with which he has collaborated for years, while during the annual ceremony of the “Comunicando” Award of Editrade he was appointed Ambassador of Communication.
The event is included among the initiatives of Longarone Fiere Dolomiti for the 13th edition of the European Artisan Gelato Day – the idea of which started in Longarone in 2008 – and the connection with Agrimont derives from the fact that the European Parliament, in the document underlying the institution of the Day, approved on 5 July 2012, highlighted how: “among fresh dairy products, artisan gelato represents excellence in terms of quality and food safety, which enhances the agri-food products of each individual Member State”.
On the occasion of the Pocchiesa Award, precisely in relation to the connection between agricultural production and gelato, the topic of agri-gelaterie will be addressed and taking into account that these activities do not currently have sector legislation, the meeting will also be useful for proposing a regulation capable of protecting the consumer and the producer himself.
Also, on Sunday 23 March in the meeting area (pavilion C) from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, to honour the Day, a tasting of artisanal gelato with the flavour of the year dedicated to the Jubilee, Hallelujah, and gelato with Honey of the Rebirth (from the pilot sites of the Life Vaia project) will be offered. This initiative is part of the programme of economic promotion and regional internationalisation interventions of the Gelato Tradizionale Veneto project.
