Ciauru d'Autunnu

Ciauru d'Autunnu, the scent of Sicily in San Filippo del Mela

In the heart of the Mela Valley, in the province of Messina, the small town of San Filippo del Mela dedicates one of its most cherished events to the autumn season: Ciauru d'Autunnu, a seasonal iteration of the broader Ciauru project. The term, taken from the Sicilian dialect, means scent and captures the essence of the entire initiative: to tell the story of a territory through its aromas, products, and traditions.

An experiential tourism concept

Ciauru was born with an 'open doors' philosophy that flips the traditional fair model on its head: instead of taking producers away from their home, it invites visitors, buyers, and delegations to experience the Mela Valley from within, through excursions, guided tours, tastings, conferences, and shows. It is a form of slow, sensory tourism designed to reconnect visitors with the area's agricultural and cultural roots.

Four days of autumn

The autumn edition primarily animates the hamlet of Olivarella and the town center. The program alternates between in-depth sessions, such as seminars on extra virgin olive oil, and entertainment evenings: the Notte in Danza (Night of Dance) featuring local dance schools, the Notte Bianca with special guests, and a final event dedicated to comedy and good humor.

San Filippo del Mela and its European dimension

The project is part of the Municipality's sustainable growth path, which in recent years has welcomed foreign delegations from Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Malta as part of a twinning pact focused on the environment and the European Green Deal. Thus, Ciauru d'Autunnu becomes not just a local festival, but a showcase for the Mela Valley and the entire province of Messina, in Sicily.

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the organizers; the event traditionally takes place in autumn, during the months of October and November.