Mediterranean Diet Festival in Aiello Calabro: exploring cognitive longevity
On 19 and 20 September 2026 the historic center of Aiello Calabro will host the Mediterranean Diet Festival, organized by the Association of Calabrian Biologists and Nutritionists (ABNC). The 2026 edition focuses on “Cognitive longevity: what villages can teach us”, linking nutrition, lifestyle and the communal dimension of small towns.
Program highlights
The festival combines scientific debate, practical workshops and local events. Key elements include:
National conference “Mediterranean Diet, ageing and longevity – Nourish the mind, live longer” on Saturday 19 September at the Teatro Comunale from 8:30 to 17:30; the session awards 9 ECM credits for professionals such as biologists, doctors, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists and nurses.
Scientific sessions covering neurobiology of healthy ageing, dementia prevention, applied nutrition, microbiota and frailty management.
Food Area and show cooking guided by Dr. Domenicantonio Galatà with chefs from the Regional Union of Calabrian Chefs, demonstrating how tradition and nutritional criteria can coexist.
Special guided tours of Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina with FAI and a biodiversity agro-food stand in Piazza Plebiscito featuring Coldiretti and local producers.
Evening cultural events through the village and “Listening to Flavors”, a blind tasting dinner curated by the Italian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Cosenza section.
Sunday 20 September mainly devoted to prevention activities, with a Health Village offering screenings and information.
Audience and participants
The festival gathers researchers, clinicians, nutritionists, local institutions, associations, farmers and slow-tourism operators. The speakers include university professors, neurologists, dementia researchers and experts in nutrition and geriatrics. The event targets both health professionals and citizens interested in territorial food practices and healthy ageing.
Why it matters for villages
The festival treats the village as a living lab to show how cultural heritage, local products and social ties support quality of life and healthy ageing. It is an occasion to promote the historic center of Aiello Calabro, short food supply chains and prevention-focused education.
Attending combines cultural discovery, local promotion and scientific updating within a typical Italian village setting.
Where it is
Location: 87031 Aiello Calabro CS, Italia
Coordinates: 39.1161753, 16.1652734
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Dining and Cooking